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The Institute of African Studies (IAS) at Carleton U

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The Institute of African Studies (IAS) at Carleton U

Institute of African Studies, Carleton University
439 Paterson Hall

Undergraduate and Graduate programs in African Studies. carleton.ca/africanstudies

The Institute of African Studies builds on Carleton’s long history of expertise on Africa amongst its faculty and graduate students by pulling together the growing number of faculty members and experts in the Ottawa-Gatineau region to provide fresh insight into current and historical dynamics of Africa – from the slave trade that reshaped the continent and the Atlantic world to the richly textured and innovative religious practices and livelihood strategies, from conflicts, refugees, and peace-building efforts to the production and reception of world-renowned and locally-consumed literatures, music and film. Carleton is the only Canadian university to have a stand-alone Institute of African Studies which also offers a degree program. It provides Combined Honours and Minor programs in African Studies, organizes public events and activities concerning the continent and the African diaspora, and highlights and brings together the ongoing research conducted by its faculty and students. Our undergraduate program at the Institute of African Studies offers:

Interdisciplinarity

Our Combined Honours program in African Studies is built on students taking courses in various disciplines, enabling them to develop a fuller understanding and appreciation of the many dimensions of the continent. Practical Experience

African Studies students are encouraged to acquire “hands-on” experience in regards to African Studies through taking a third year placement course, which enables them to carry out work for an organization working on Africa for academic credit, and by going to one of the African universities with which Carleton has an exchange agreement. Engaging with Contemporary Issues

In the different courses, African Studies students will be discussing and learning about events and their historical and current contexts that are debated and discussed within Africa and beyond. Students will learn about the effects of slavery on Africa and the question of reparations; African unity and pan-Africanism; authenticity and artistic productions; democratization and human rights; conservation, national parks, and sustainable tourism; justice, reconciliation, and peace-building; music and cultural performances; HIV/AIDS, malaria and government and donor policies concerning health-care; ethnicity, belonging, and citizenship; African cinema and documentary film studies; and globalization and economic sovereignty, amongst others.

10/06/2025

1ST WEBINAR SERIES OF THE AFRICA INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE RESEARCH NETWORK (AIKRN) YOUTH FORUM
🗓️ October 6, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
📍 Online via Zoom:
Register now: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/BLFbRxK6TOOF6QJSUZm9_Q

🌍 Theme: Rooted Resilience: Understanding the Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship

✨ About the Event:
Across Africa, young people are leading a quiet revolution — driving innovation, tackling unemployment, and addressing inequalities through creativity and community-based solutions. Yet, the wisdom of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) — intuitive, place-based, and passed down through generations — remains underutilized.

This webinar, hosted by the AIKRN Youth Forum and the Institute of African Studies (Carleton University), explores how IKS can empower youth innovation and entrepreneurship through intergenerational dialogue, reflection, and knowledge sharing.

09/12/2025

🌍✨ AIKRN Quarterly Webinar Series ✨🌍

The Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN), in collaboration with the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, invites you to join our upcoming webinar:

Scaling Up: Indigenous Knowledge and Entrepreneurship Growth in Micro-Enterprises for the Youth in Africa

📅 Date: September 30, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EST)

This webinar will explore how Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) can drive youth entrepreneurship, foster innovation, and create sustainable livelihoods across Africa.

🎤 Speakers:

Dr. Lauri Eliot

Dr. Nwakego Eyisi

👨🏽‍🏫 Chairperson: Professor Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba

👉 Register here: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/2RBj-1w0SjW0XITIZJVeXw

07/24/2025

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS — CARLETON–UBIVERSITY OF JOHANESBURG–MAKERERE DOCTORAL WORKSHOP 🇨🇦🇿🇦🇺🇬

Are you a Carleton PhD student researching Africa? Here’s your chance to join an exciting doctoral workshop in Kampala, Uganda from Sept 20–27, 2025, alongside students from South Africa and Uganda.

The workshop will focus on research sharing, archival challenges, and research ethics. It will be led by Profs Shireen Hassim, Natasha Erlank, and Edgar Taylor, with guest lectures by renowned scholars Nakanyike Musisi and David William Cohen.

📌 Open to PhD students in History, Political Science, Sociology, or Anthropology
🎓 Three scholarships available (travel, accommodation & costs covered)
📅 Apply by July 31, 2025

To apply, email:
📩 federicadesisto@cmail.carleton.ca
Include:

Year of study

Dissertation topic

One-page motivation letter

Don’t miss this unique academic and cross-cultural opportunity!

06/12/2025

🌍 AIKRN Webinar Series | In Partnership with Mastercard Foundation

📅 Date: Monday, June 30, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM EST
🎯 Theme: NGOs and the Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge in Africa
🔗 Join via Zoom: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/j/7728811737?pwd=QkVSTUZqTFR5alVLSFQxck0rejlqQT09

Discover how NGOs in Africa are working with communities to preserve and promote Indigenous Knowledge in agriculture, medicine, governance, and cultural identity.

🎙 Speakers:

Nerisa Kamar (Kenya)

Patience Tusingwire (Uganda)

Dr. Oluwamunmi Bakare-Fatungase (Nigeria)

✅ Key Topics:

Role of NGOs in safeguarding Indigenous Knowledge

Building partnerships with communities and academia

Policy advocacy and cultural resilience

Join us to explore how traditional wisdom can shape a more sustainable and inclusive future!

04/14/2025

📢 Reminder — Upcoming IAS Event!

Join the Institute of African Studies for an exciting talk:

Richard Rive, South African Anti-Jim Crow, and Attenuated Decoloniality
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
🕐 Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM EST
💻 Location: Online via Zoom

We’re pleased to welcome Kanika Batra, Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Society and Culture (University of Alberta, 2025), as she presents on the work of Richard Rive, a leading anti-apartheid writer.

Dr. Batra will explore Rive’s autobiography Writing Black (1981) and discuss its significance within the South African autobiographical archive, as well as its connection to educational disparities and movements like and .

👉 Register here for the Zoom link:
https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/0cd5oPr3Tc69ID_gQ4EQXw

We look forward to seeing you there!

04/04/2025

Join us for a Brownbag Seminar with Prof. Tendayi Sithole (UNISA) on “Sénghor & Biko: A Thesis Towards Black Consciousness.”
Explore the intersection of Negritude & Black Consciousness, focusing on Senghor & Biko’s relationship.

📅 April 9, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST

🔗 Zoom Link: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/7sjW6aOSQTmxxctZ0WxzEQ

03/14/2025

The Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN) invites you to the Quarterly Webinar Series: March 2025
🎙️ Topic: Restoring Values: Indigenous Institutions, Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Jobs for Youth in Africa
Join us as we explore the critical role of indigenous institutions in fostering sustainable entrepreneurship and youth employment in Africa.

📅 March 19, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST 💻 Location: Zoom | 🎟️ Free
🗣️ Speakers:
Dr. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba (Chair) - Carleton University
Dr. Jabulile Happyness Mzimela - University of Zululand
Dr. Zainab Moniola Olaitan - Queen's University

🔗 Register: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/sNZ0AEYnTeG3q_m9TFQAww #/registration

03/10/2025

Zoom link is available when you register

As part of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology Colloquium Series, Khalid Medani presents: "War Making as State Making: Understandings the Logic of War and Violence in Sudan". Title: War…

01/27/2025

🌍 Join us for a thought-provoking Brownbag Seminar: The Great Rescue: Indigenous Knowledge and Restorative Development in Africa 🌍
🗓️ January 29, 2025
⏰ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST
📍 Zoom (Free)
Speakers: Dr. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba & Dr. Evelyn N. Mayanja
Register here: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAucemgrDIpE9J3xtdpmGsS-z5KRgGlcqqd
Explore how Indigenous knowledge can drive sustainable growth & transformative development in Africa.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: The Great Rescue: Indigenous Knowledge and Restorative Development in Africa. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

11/28/2024

🌍 Children of the Soil: The Power of Built Form in Urban Madagascar

📅 Date: December 4, 2024
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EST)
💻 Location: Zoom
🎟️ Cost: Free

Join the Institute of African Studies for the Knowing Africa Seminar Series as Tasha Rijke-Epstein (Vanderbilt University) explores architecture's material and symbolic power in shaping identities and social relations in Madagascar’s urban spaces.

Discussants:

Adedoyin Teriba (Dartmouth)
Ato Quayson (Stanford University)
Register now: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0oc-2sqz0jG9JNeR78Qzdyez8POBIVCEtD
Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into the intersections of architecture, identity, and urban life in Madagascar! 🌟

11/26/2024

🌍📢 Reminder: Don’t Miss This Inspiring Seminar!

Join us for “The Aesthetics of Belonging: Indigenous Urbanism, City Building, and the Oil Boom in Luanda”.

📅 Date: November 27, 2024
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EST)
💻 Location: Zoom (Free Admission!)

Discover how Luanda’s urban landscape transformed during the oil boom and its implications for indigenous identity and belonging. Featuring:
🎤 Claudia Gastrow (North Carolina State University)
With discussions led by:
🗣️ Antonio Tomas (UC Irvine)
🗣️ Grace Adeniyi-Ogunyankin (Queen’s University)
Register Now : https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrcuGhrjgsEtdES73rCXMWc682l1XHfuPg

11/21/2024

📢 Join Us for an Engaging Seminar!

🌍 The Aesthetics of Belonging: Urbanism, Indigenous Identity, and the Transformation of Luanda During the Oil Boom

🗣️ Featuring:
🎙️ Claudia Gastrow (North Carolina State University)
💬 Discussants: Antonio Tomas (UC Irvine) & Grace Adeniyi-Ogunyankin (Queen’s University)

📅 When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
💻 Where: VIA Zoom

Explore how Angola's oil boom reshaped Luanda’s urban landscape and its impact on indigenous identity. Don't miss this chance for a fascinating discussion!

🔗Register now: https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrcuGhrjgsEtdES73rCXMWc682l1XHfuPg

Address

1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1S5B6

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

https://www.starbucks.ca/store-locator/store/1007018

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