The objective of this meeting on 23 October is to provide insight into the background of the continuing crisis in the Sahel. The meeting will consist of five moderated presentations, with Q&A sessions, to be followed by a Round Table discussion. Among the speakers are Prof. Mirjam de Bruijn (ASCL), Prof. Han van Dijk (ASCL), Sergei Boeke (Leiden University), Modibo Galy Cissé (PhD Leiden University) and Dr Mamadou Bodian (Sahel Research Group, University of Florida). 

On behalf of the Africa Thesis Award jury, the ASCL is pleased to announce this year's three nominees: Rebecca Chudaska (Wageningen University & Research) for her thesis on how water-related information affects farming practices and decision-making in Ada East (Ghana); Tycho van der Hoog (Leiden University) for his thesis on North Korean monuments in southern Africa; and Cynthia Olufade (Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan) for her thesis on oath taking and the transnationalism of silence among Edo female sex workers in Italy.

The 8th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS 2019), to be held in Edinburgh 12-14 June 2019, invites the submission of panel proposals addressing the theme of 'Africa: Connections and Disruptions'. Panels and papers representing all disciplines and methodological approaches of the Social Sciences and Humanities are welcomed. The call for panels is now open and will close on 14 November.

Ethiopia is one of the few countries in Africa that can pride itself in having an international studies conference devoted to it on a regular basis. This year they gathered at Mekelle University, and here no 'overblown questions about "where is the Ethiopian in Ethiopian studies"', writes Jon Abbink, who participated. 'Ethiopian studies has always been strongly marked by joint projects and collaboration.' Read his latest blog post!