About Us

The African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK) was established in 1963 with the constitutional aim to “advance African Studies particularly in the Untied Kingdom, by providing facilities for the interchange of information and ideas and the coordination of activities by and between persons and institutions concerned with the study of Africa.”

In recent years, the Association has increasingly understood this objective to include the strenghtening of linkages between UK and Africa-based institutions and scholars. After all, African Studies in the UK can only be advanced through meaningful and substantial collaborations and exchanges with colleagues and partners on the continent. Africa is not merely an object of knowledge production, but also (and foremost) an active agent in that process.

Thus, we collaborate with our Africa-based peer associations and support their initiatives.

Our major programme, the ASAUK writing workshops aims to change publishing patterns that advantage scholars from well-resourced institutions and to strengthen the connections between academics in the UK and our colleagues in Africa.

Our conference takes place every two years and brings together hundreds of academics—from the UK, Europe, Africa and beyond; from PhD students to senior professors; from disciplines across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and environmental sciences—in a collegial, supportive and inclusive environment. 

ASAUK hosts an African Studies email listserv. Please join it here.

Together, we are stronger. Therefore, please join our Association as a member!