The eighth annual APSA Africa Workshop was held from July 20–31 at United States International University-Africa (USIU) in Nairobi, Kenya. This year’s workshop was the final program in a multiyear initiative to support political science research and teaching in Sub-Saharan Africa, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Since 2008, the Africa Workshops have been a major component of APSA’s efforts to engage with political science communities outside the United States and support research networks linking US scholars with their colleagues overseas.
Sitting at the nexus between international relations and comparative politics, the 2015 workshop on “Conflict and Political Violence” examined research on the sources of armed conflict and mechanisms for resolving conflict. The course aimed to situate research on African conflicts within the broader political science literature on peace and conflict, and facilitate a dialogue between case-based and cross-national studies. A team of four coleaders from the United States, Kenya, and Uganda coled the event, which was attended by 26 political and social scientists. Participants were competitively selected from a pool of more than 160 applicants and, all together, represented 24 different institutions from 13 countries.
Throughout the workshop, participants discussed an extensive set of readings and also presented their own research on conflict and conflict resolution. Additional sessions on publishing, research methods, grant funding, and networking complimented the academic focus of the course. As a relaxing break from the intensive two-week program, participants enjoyed an overnight visit to Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya for a game drive and bush braai.
A special word of thanks is due to Elsie Newa, Lecturer and Internship Administrator at USIU, who provided invaluable assistance in facilitating this workshop.
From 2008–2015, APSA’s Africa Workshops have been held three times in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Senegal), three times in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), and twice in Southern Africa (Botswana and Mozambique). To date, 160 Africa-based scholars from 33 countries have participated in the workshop, as well as 36 scholars from universities in the United States and Europe.
For more information on the 2015 workshop or the overall program, please visit the APSA Africa Workshop website at http://community.apsanet.org/Africa/home/.
WORKSHOP COLEADERS
John Clark, Florida International University, USA
Pamela K. Mbabazi, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Uganda
Kennedy Mkutu, United States International University, Kenya
Beth Elise Whitaker, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, USA
2015 workshop participants, guests, and coleaders gather for a picture at the library of the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya.
Participants stayed at Ol Tukai Lodge in Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, which provided great views of zebras (pictured in background), elephants, and other wildlife.
WORKSHOP FELLOWS
Mr. Seidu Alidu, University of Ghana, Ghana
Ms. Doreen Alusa, United States International University, Kenya
Mr. Ndubuisi Christian Ani, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Mr. Tarila Ebiede, Niger Delta University, Nigeria/University of Leuven, Belgium
Ms. Mary Ejang, Gulu University, Uganda
Ms. Dalaya Esayiyas, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Ms. Anne Frugé, University of Maryland, USA
Ms. Temilola A. George, National Defence College-Abuja, Nigeria
Mr. Kevin Greene, Michigan State University, USA
Mr. Ahmed Sharif Ibrahim, City University of New York, USA
Mr. Zachary A. Karazsia, Florida International University, USA
Ms. Kathleen Fitzpatrick Klaus, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Ms. Aditi Malik, Northwestern University, USA
Ms. Lucy Massoi, Mzumbe University, Tanzania
Mr. Bamlaku Tadesse Mengistu, Haramaya University-Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Mr. Enock Mudzamiri, University of South Africa, South Africa
Ms. Odette Murara, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Mr. Mbangu Muyingi, North West University-Vaal Triangle, South Africa
Mr. Eric Blanco Niyitunga, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Mr. Hassan Njifon Njoya, University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon
Mr. Christian Ifeanyi Onyekwelu, University of Botswana, Botswana
Mr. Jacob Dut Chol Riak, University of Juba, South Sudan
Mr. Kizito Sabala, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, South Sudan
Ms. Josiane Toussé, University of Yaoundé II-SOA, Cameroon
Mr. William John Walwa, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Ms. Corianne Wielenga, University of Pretoria, South Africa
