Panel on Academic Collaborations in the Sahel
The double panel, entitled Promoting Academic and Collaborative Spaces in the Sahel, was organized as part of the joint German and Swiss Conference on African Studies at the University of Basel, 26-28 August 2026. The aim of the panel was to bring together reflections to consolidate the Collaborative Research Group Le monde du Sahel/Promoting Academic Collaborations and Spaces (Sahel/PAX). Co-convened by Éric Hahonou (Roskilde University), Mureil Côte (Lund University), and Sten Hagberg (Uppsala University's Forum for Africa Studies, the panel invited critical reflections on the ways in which current transformations complicate field research, and research collaboration.
Six papers were presented as part of the panel:
- Exploring New Collaborative Spaces in and with the Sahel: Reflections on Practical Engagement, Dr. Maria Grosz-Ngate | Indiana University Bloomington, USA | Germany
- « Tu as osé venir jusqu’ici ! » : Collaboration comme double engament sur des terrains difficiles, Bintou Koné | Doctorante à l'Université de Bayreuth | Germany
- Enjeux et défis de la collaboration Euro-Sahélienne, Dr. Muriel Côte | Lund Unviersity | Sweden, and Dr. Tongnoma Zongo | Institut des Sciences des Sociétés | Burkina Faso
- From citizen perspectives from below to public silence and underground action: Fighting for academic freedoms against authoritarianism in the Sahel, Prof. Dr. Sten Hagberg | Uppsala University | Sweden
- Institutionalising academic collaboration in the Sahel when rupture is the norm, not the exception: Critical reflections using the example of the Centre d'Excellence de Gouvernance Locale en Afrique (CEGLA), Schilan Anina Regina Stach | Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Neu-Ulm | Germany, and Tiburce Baudouin Gomido | Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung Kehl | Germany
- The scope of African studies. Perspectives from the margins, Dr. Éric Komlavi Hahonou | Roskilde University | Denmark
The double-panel was well-attended, and engaged interesting dialogues with the audience. Presentations were very much to the point.
The CRG Sahel/PAX will soon launch other resarch activities. Uppsala University's Forum for Africa Studies is proud to be part of the coordination team of this important initiative. Stay tuned.
