African Studies Institute

The African Studies Institute (ASI) is an interdisciplinary center that seeks to promote African studies at the University of Oklahoma, specifically through the coordination of Africa-related activities across disciplines on campus and the funding of Africa-related research.

In November 2021, we kicked off our new bi-annual Faculty Research Brownbag seminar with a presentation from affiliate faculty member James Olufowote, Department of Communication. Our newest affiliate faculty member, Claire Nicholas, Departemnet of Anthropology, presented in April. We also sponsored three events hosted by African student groups, including the African Women’s League Annual Showcase in November, the Afrobeat Dance Club End of Year Showcase in December, and the East African Alliance’s Bazaar in March. In so doing, we support Pillar 4 of the Strategic Plan by making OU “a place of belonging and emotional growth for all students.” I

n the spring, we hosted a talk on Senegal by Martha Wilfahrt from UC Berkeley in February, entitled, “Precolonial Legacies in Contemporary Public Goods Delivery,” as well as a second talk by human rights expert Sètondji Roland Adjovi in March, titled, “Military Coupsand Human Rights in Africa.” Funding these public talks helps support Pillar 5 of the Strategic Plan by “enriching and positively impacting Oklahoma, the nation and the world through research and creative activity.”

We also funded student and faculty research initiatives, including a mentorship grant for Natalie Letsa of IAS and Savannah Lemmons (a senior majoring in geographic information science, a student research grant for junior anthropology and economics major Ian Miller, and two faculty research grants, one for Department of History professor Bala Saho’s fieldwork in the Gambia, and second for Natalie Letsa’s fieldwork in Cameroon. The student funding initiatives are in line with Pillar 2 of the Strategic Plan, as the ASI helps “prepare students for a life of success, meaning, service, and positive impact” by funding their research initiatives focused on Africa.

Photo: Executive Committee (from left): Assistant Professor of Anthropology Thomas Fenn, Associate Professor of English Rita Keresztesi, Assistant Professor of International and Area Studies Natalie Letsa