Uppsala School for Africa Studies
The Uppsala School for Africa Studies is a framework for bringing together and creating synergies between programs, projects, and clusters of Uppsala University’s engagements in and with Africa. The School is a central pillar of Uppsala University’s Forum for Africa Studies’ strategic work regarding higher education and research training.
The School brings together PhD students and postdocs working in and on Africa.The School is not a degree-awarding entity but a platform for cross-, inter- and transdisciplinary encounters, themes, and approaches. It adds value to existing UU programs pertaining to Africa.
The School will actively work for Africa Studies to strengthen individual researchers’ profiles. Students and researchers enrolled in the Uppsala School for Africa Studies will get their respective degrees from specific programs while obtaining a certificate for participation in the School.
The first iteration of Uppsala School for Africa Studies started in the Fall of 2025 with a welcome week and seminar activities. see a list of the 2025-26 Cohort.
Who is the school for?
The target group is Uppsala University’s PhD students and postdocs, the School also welcomes affiliated researchers, students at all levels, and encourages broad participation in public events, fostering an inclusive and stimulating academic environment – hybrid when needed.
How to Join
Enrollment is now open for applications ,with the deadline in end of August 2026. The application involves an Kurt - Webbaserade enkäter (Open beginning of June-end of Aug 2026), including a statement of motivation and link to CV. Upon active participation, PhD students and postdocs receive a certificate recognising their engagement and achievements within the School.
Program for Uppsala school for Africa Studies 2026-2027
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | Application opens +Admissions. link for application:Kurt - Webbaserade enkäter
|
October 2026 | Welcome week(5-11 october) -5th October: Info session and Fika /Hybrid Eng- 3 2028 -6th October:Visit to Museum Gustavium -(8th October introduction to the Nordic Africa institute Library - 9th October:Introduction seminar by all Cohort 2026/2027) |
November 2026 | Seminar(20th november)-Interaction with the Claude Ake Professor. |
January 2027 | Seminar(22nd January) |
February 2027 | Seminar(19th Feb) |
March 2027 | Seminar(19th march) |
April 2027 | Seminar(16th April) |
May 2027 | Africa days(19-20th May at university's main Building, Sal X) |
Program for the 1st cohort Uppsala school for Africa Studies
Program 2025-26
August Application and Admissions
September Welcome week
October Decolonizing Fieldwork Seminar week
13 Decolonizing Research Methodologies: A Practice Approach (hybrid)
17 Book Launch: Women in Politics: How to break the glass ceiling in Mali? (hybrid)
November
5 at 14.30 Intro to the Nordic Africa Library, Villavägen 6, Uppsala. Fika will be served!
7 at 11.30-12.00 CET Intro to the Nordic Africa Library (Zoom) https://uu-se.zoom.us/j/62237169461
February
9 15.15-17.00 CET Intro for the spring semester and academic publishing workshop. Hybrid
March
25 March 13.30-16.00 Promoting Academic Spaces, Launch of Sahel PAX network. Hybrid.
April
TBA Joined event with ASAU
May
TBA Mock presentations and feedback session
21-22 May, Africa Days in Uppsala, research presentations.
In addition, monthly Friday seminars in Africa Studies and social events throughout the year to get to know one another and Uppsala. See our Events page for open events.
Please consult the programme pdf, 639 kB. of the Africa Days at Uppsala University on the theme Strengthening Research Collaborations with Africa in Challenging Times