The Research Centre Africa (FZA) at the University of Bayreuth is an inter- and transdisciplinary research institution that deals with the major technological and ecological challenges of the 21st century from an African perspective. The aim is to research transformation processes that affect both the future of Africa and the world as a whole: Africa is shaping the globalised world and is at the same time integrated into it.

A key focus of the FZA is cooperation with local, African and other international partners. These partnerships enable an intensive exchange and networking of knowledge, which is essential for research into the complex developments in Africa and the world. The FZA builds on the many years of expertise in African Studies at the University of Bayreuth as well as that of its partners in Germany, Africa and worldwide.

As a central research unit of the University of Bayreuth, the Institute of African Studies (IAS) provides a home for all African scholars and brings together their activities. The Africa Research Centre (FZA) is a unit of the IAS and supports the creation of a forward-looking, sustainable research infrastructure; it positions the University of Bayreuth as a globally significant location for innovative African Studies. More information on research: https://www.ias.uni-bayreuth.de/en/Research-and-Teaching/Research/index.html

Teaching in African Studies:

The University of Bayreuth offers interdisciplinary BA and MA programmes in African Studies (Interdisciplinary African Studies; African Verbal and Visual Arts; Études Francophones: Afriques Multiples) as well as subject-related degree programmes that have a strong focus on Africa-related topics (in Politics, History, Geography, Religion, Anthropology, Law etc.)

The European Interdisciplinary Master in African Studies – EIMAS – offers an opportunity to specialize in interdisciplinary African Studies with a focus on practice-oriented knowledge of Global Africa. The programme includes a mobility scheme which is carried out in cooperation with Université Bordeaux Montaigne in France and Universidade do Porto in Portugal.

The additional study programme afriZert offers students the opportunity to gain a minimum level of Africa-related knowledge irrespective of their primary study objective. It targets all students enrolled at any Bavarian university.

Advanced students in the bachelor's and master's degree benefit from our international alumni network and our close cooperation with academic institutions worldwide.

More information on teaching

Libraries and collections:

The University Library supports research and teaching through its extensive collection of Africa-related books, magazines, and other media. Reference to Africa is even important for the university's Botanical Garden. Iwalewahaus is another integral part of IAS and the University of Bayreuth dedicated to contemporary artworks of visual and popular art from Africa and the African diaspora. Iwalewahaus collection includes over 12,000 works of art. It is the largest institutional collection of contemporary African art in Europe. Exhibitions, lectures, films, conferences, artist talks, artist residencies and workshops take place on 2,300m², office space as well as exhibition and archive space.

Contact for all issues related to African Studies at the UBT library: Benedikt Winkhart, Subject specialist for African Studies, English Studies, Media Studies, Social and Cultural Anthropology (benedikt.winkhart[at]uni-bayreuth.de)

Opportunities:

As part of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies offers a fellowship programme.

Network and partners:

More information on IAS's partnerships

Staff:

IAS Bayreuth staff page