The purpose of this annual conference was to give an opportunity for social scientists doing research in East Africa to meet, report to professional colleagues on the results of their studies, and participate in criticism and discussion. The 100-odd participants were drawn mainly from the three University Colleges, but also from other institutions, both inside and outside East Africa. A somewhat arbitrary classification of the papers presented gives 14 in economics, 6 in sociology and anthropology, 5 in agriculture, 10 in political science, and 5 in manpower planning and education. The papers were almost all on East African topics, frequently showing an interdisciplinary approach, and many were concerned directly or indirectly with problems of development. This short note cannot summarise or even mention all the papers; it gives only a selective and superficial sketch of what was presented and discussed at the conference.