News & Events

The ASCL will be hosting a two-day workshop on 20-21 March on the lasting legacy of mineral resource extraction in Africa. The workshop is held within the context of the Boom to Dust project, and is organised by students in the ResMa African Studies. Highlight will be a presentation of Prof. Rita Kesselring's (St. Gallen) latest book on Zambia.

On 19 February 2025,  Malian film director Souleymane Cissé passed away. He is one of the most recognized African filmmakers of the twentieth century, and his work exemplifies the development of social realism in African cinema.

In this episode of Wat Als, the discussion revolves around the idea that North Africa could be the solution to Europe's challenges, such as aging populations, labor shortages, energy supply, and migration. While some view cooperation with North Africa as an opportunity, concerns remain about controversial migration deals and a neo-colonial perspective.

This month's Library Highlight tells the story of 'The John', an American cargo ship that ran aground just off the coast of the island of Santo Antão, Cabo Verde, in 1947. An event that is still significant in the memories of many Cabo Verdeans today.

The ASCL has a vibrant Visiting Fellows Programme. Selected fellows collaborate and network with colleagues, and make use of our excellent library. In January, three visiting fellows started their three-month stay at the ASCL: Chidiebere Victor Adim, Elijah Doro and Jonathan Echeverri Zuluaga.

Students from the 2024-2025 minor African Dynamics attended an engaging Academic Podcast Workshop in a professional podcast studio. For this year’s assignments, the students explored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex global challenges. 

Since the early 2000s, Rwanda has been praised for its high number of women in Parliament. However, critics argue that President Paul Kagame's government is an authoritarian regime that silences political opposition. Xianan Jin (University of Exeter) will explore this paradox during the ASCL Seminar on 3 April. Join us!

The Student Assistant will support the LUGF-funded project titled:  The operations of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in Conflict Areas towards developing a conceptual framework.

Jon Abbink's blog,The Sudan Impasse 2023-2025: Prospects for ‘Normal Politics’, discusses the ongoing devastating conflict in Sudan, which has persisted for nearly two years, leading to widespread suffering and humanitarian crises.