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African Studies Institute

African Studies Institute

African Studies Institute at OU.

The African Studies Institute at the University of Oklahoma is an emerging, interdisciplinary center dedicated to research and the study of Africa, as well as building a community of those interested in Africa in the state of Oklahoma.

The Africa Studies Institute is a part of vibrant and growing resources in Middle East and North Africa studies at the University of Oklahoma. For more information on these resources and programs, visit our new MENA at OU page.

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Events & Announcements

2025-2026 Events

International Conference on The Arts and The Advancement of Humanity 2025

Conference Venue: Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

Date: July 7-11, 2025

The purpose of this year’s conference is to provide a platform for intellectual discourse, promotion of cultural and social impact, encourage policy and educational contributions, and stimulate innovation and future directions particularly regarding emerging trends such as digital humanities, AI in translation, and the intersection of religion and science, all to ensure that the Arts remain at the forefront of contemporary discourse.

Learn More 

 


Event flyer with the text: Free Entry, April 18th, 01pm - 03pm, Gaylord Auditorium. Peace-Work-Fatherland by Diane Pamen. African Film Showcase. The Women in My Life by Abba Diallo. Join us for an African Film Showcase, where we spotlight films from two independent student storytellers. Participate in a Q&A discussion facilitated by Dr. Rita Keresztesi - Department of English - with the storytellers and engage in conversations about the content and behind-the scene.

African Studies Institute Presents: An African Film Showcase

     Peace-Work-Fatherland by Diane Pamen

     The Women in My Life by Abba Diallo   

Friday, April 18th, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Gaylord Auditorium

The African Studies Institute invites you to their African Film Showcase where we will spotlight films from two independent student storytellers.

Peace-Work-Fatherland by Diane Pamen

The Women in My Life by Abba Diallo

The films will be followed by a Q&A discussion with the storytellers, facilitated Dr. Rita Keresztesi.

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Announcements

Check back in fall 2025 for new announcements and events.

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Media

Video of "Drinking as a Site of Consumptive Political Fantasying: Alcohol, Conflict, & Development in Ethiopia," with Christina Tekie Collins, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Indiana University, March 23, 2023.

Video of "Military Coups and Human Rights in Africa," with Sètondji Roland Adjovi, International Law Specialist, March 8, 2022.

Video of "Precolonial Legacies in Contemporary Public Goods Delivery: Evidence from Decentralized West Africa" with Martha Wilfahrt, February 24, 2022.

Global BLM student roundtable, held Thursday, September 17, 2020


People


Natalie Letsa
Director, African Studies Institute
Wick Cary Asst. Professor of Political Economy, Dept. of International & Area Studies

nwletsa@ou.edu


Lewis Eliot
Executive Committee, African Studies Institute

Assistant Professor, Department of History

lewis.eliot@ou.edu

 

 

Bala Saho
Executive Committee, African Studies Institute

Associate Professor, Department of History

saho1@ou.edu

NameTitleEmail
Zermarie Deacon
Associate Professor, Department of Human Relationszermarie@ou.edu
Kalenda EatonAssociate Professor, Clara Luper Department of African & African-American Studiesk.eaton1@ou.edu
Lewis EliotAssociate Professor, Department of Historylewis.eliot@ou.edu
Thomas R. FennAssistant Professor, Department of Anthropologythomas.fenn@ou.edu
Greg A. Graham
Associate Professor, Clara Luper Department of African & African-American Studiesgreggraham@ou.edu
John C. Harris
Associate Professor, Division of Regional and City Planning, Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecturejohncharris@ou.edu
Daniel Mains
Associate Professor of Anthropology and African Studies, Honors Collegedcmains@ou.edu
Claire NicholasAssistant Professor, Department of Anthropologycbnicholas@ou.edu
Moses OlayemiAssistant Professor, Gallogly College of Engineeringmolayemi@ou.edu
James Olufowote
Associate Professor, Department of Communicationolu@ou.edu
Andreana Prichard
Associate Professor of African History, Honors College
Affiliate Faculty, Departments of History and International & Area Studies
aprichard@ou.edu
Bala Saho
Associate Professor, Department of Historysaho1@ou.edu
Michael J. Soreghan
James Roy Maxey Chair and Associate Professor of Geosciences, Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy School of Geosciencesmsoreg@ou.edu

Scholarships

The Ambassador Edward J. Perkins Scholarship
The Ambassador Edward J. Perkins Scholarship was created to assist University of Oklahoma students to pursue studies in Africa and other strategic areas. Students from overseas may also be supported to come to the University of Oklahoma for study (see details regarding admissions for international students).  This fund was established in the memory of the late Marjorie Schenfeld Stewart.

The Millie Schafer Sitzman Award
The Millie Schafer Sitzman Award was created to assist University of Oklahoma students to pursue studies in Africa.

The David L. Boren College of International Studies Board of Visitors Scholarship
The Board of Visitors Study Abroad Scholarship was created out of the initiative and generosity of advisors to, and constituents of, the David L. Boren College of International Studies at The University of Oklahoma. The scholarship is unique in that it emphasizes the value of study abroad experiences in destinations that are typically underrepresented.