Centre of African Studies

Understanding Africa in the contemporary world

The University of Edinburgh has an important and long historical connection with Africa, and the Centre of African Studies (CAS) is a world leading centre for the study of Africa.

Founded in 1962, CAS provides interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervision on Africa and international development. We host a vibrant research community, committed to critical and cutting-edge theoretical and empirical approaches, placing African experiences at the centre of interdisciplinary scholarship.

We are the largest centre of African studies in Europe and regularly appear at the top of UK good university guides. We deliver a range of high-quality masters programmes on campus and online. We run prestigious PhD programmes that attract students from across the world.

About

The Centre acts as a focal point for postgraduate teaching and supervision on Africa and a hub for research programmes that span all three of the University’s colleges.

Programmes

We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate programmes in African studies. Our thriving and cosmopolitan community of graduate students study for the degrees of PhD, MSc, Diploma or Certificate.

Research

We undertake cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research across the continent. Our scholars are committed to the critical study of a diverse range of topics as well as the pursuit of inclusive, ethical and equitable partnerships.

People

Meet the whole team and find out more about areas of interest of academic colleagues.

News

See the latest news from the Centre of African Studies.

Contact

We’re based in George Square at the heart of the Central campus. A lively and vibrant hub (especially in August during the Festival Fringe).

Centre of African Studies (CAS) Newsletter

Read the latest issue of the CAS Newsletter.

You may also be interested in Critical African Studies (CrAS)

The journal publishes critical interdisciplinary research about Africa and the diaspora, covering a range of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. CrAS was established by the Centre of African Studies in 2009 and now more than half of the editorial and advisory board are based at African universities.

Edinburgh Catalyst Fellowship

The Edinburgh Catalyst Fellowship programme is a University of Edinburgh initiative run by the Centre of African Studies. It is aimed at building stronger relationships between The University of Edinburgh and Africa-based scholars, and promoting the research of early-career academics in Africa. Meet the amazing fellows and read more about their inspiring projects.

25/01/2023

Centre of African Studies

Publishing for Academics - Event Series

Come and meet an exciting range of external speakers involved in writing and publishing academic material incuding books, journal articles and monographs.

PhD Fellow Albert Sharra becomes International Press Institute mentor

Centre of African Studies PhD Fellow becomes mentor to international journalists

Centre of African Studies Commonwealth PhD Fellow Albert Sharra has been appointed as a mentor for international journalists and media owners by the International Press Institute.

19/12/2022

CAS promotes reasons to learn Swahili

The Centre of African Studies is helping promote the University's Swahili courses. Find out from the University's Teaching Fellow in Swahili, Seline Okeno, why you should study Swahili, for research, work, travel or entertainment.

16/12/2022

Alan Barnard FBA (1949-2022)

11/10/2022

22 March 2023

16:00 - 18:00

Centre of African Studies

India in Africa: The Changing Face of South-South Cooperation

27 March 2023

13:00 - 14:00

Centre of African Studies

Publishing in Peer-Reviewed Journals

In this workshop, we will hear from editors of leading peer-reviewed journals in the social sciences. After their presentations, there will be an opportunity for discussion.

28 March 2023

13:00 - 14:00

Centre of African Studies

Summarising Complex Longitudinal Data – Sometimes Less is More

In this seminar, Dr Valeria Skafida reflects on the application of group-based trajectory analysis, also known as latent class trajectory modelling, to extract developmental trajectories in relation to cohort data on children's social and emotional developmentary trajectories from the Growing Up in Scotland survey.

School of Social and Political Science