The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and the Centre for African Studies in Basel (ZASB) are hosting the 7th Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa. This edition, supported by the Oumou Dilly Foundation, will take place in Dakar, Senegal from 20–24 July 2026. Applications are open to doctoral students and early-career scholars from African and Swiss universities, with a submission deadline of 1 May 2026. The program is themed “Honouring Mudimbe: Rethinking Research through African Thought”, celebrating the intellectual legacy of the late Valentin-Yves Mudimbe. It encourages scholars to critically examine inherited disciplinary frameworks and explore African conceptual contributions to knowledge production. Program Objectives The Summer School is designed to foster interdisciplinary scholarship in African Studies while strengthening the connection between African and Swiss academic communities. Key objectives include: Engage PhD students and early-career researchers with cutting-edge theoretical, conceptual, and methodological debates in African Studies Promote African epistemologies and ontologies as tools to enhance social sciences and humanities research Build a scholarly community of African-informed researchers and practitioners Encourage participants to position their work for social impact and broader intellectual relevance Support emerging scholars in developing a distinctive research niche within African Studies By combining theory with practical reflection, the program aims to bridge academic rigor and societal relevance. Honouring Valentin-Yves Mudimbe Mudimbe, who passed away on 22 April 2025, remains one of Africa’s most influential thinkers. His work interrogated colonial knowledge systems and sought to reclaim Africa’s intellectual space within global scholarship. Concepts such as the “Colonial Library” and The Invention of Africa challenge scholars to critically assess how knowledge about Africa is produced, organized, and constrained. The Summer School leverages Mudimbe’s legacy to inspire participants to: Reflect on African epistemologies and philosophies in research design Question the assumptions underpinning conventional disciplinary methods Develop innovative frameworks for social sciences and humanities scholarship Integrate African thought into both research questions and methodologies Participants are encouraged to approach African Studies as a generative field, moving beyond critique to conceptual innovation. Who Should Apply The Summer School is open to: PhD students in the Social Sciences and Humanities (preferably first or second year) from African or Swiss institutions Early-career scholars interested in interdisciplinary research on Africa Applicants ready to explore theoretical, conceptual, and methodological innovation inspired by African thinkers Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered for participants from African institutions. A limited number of applicants may also participate on a self-funded basis. Application Requirements Applications must include: Motivation Letter (max 500 words) – explaining how the participant’s research will benefit from the Summer School Concept Paper (max 2500 words) – outlining: Current research focus Engagement with African or Global South conceptual frameworks and Mudimbe’s work Expectations from the Summer School Relevant book for discussion Curriculum Vitae Recommendation Letter – from PhD supervisor or affiliated institution Passport Copy Proof of PhD Registration or Doctoral Certificate Incomplete applications or submissions failing plagiarism and AI-detection checks will not be considered. Learning Experience and Scholarly Impact Participants will: Engage in critical reflection on their research through African intellectual traditions Explore how African Studies can drive theoretical innovation globally Discuss interdisciplinary methods and African-centered frameworks with senior scholars Develop skills to connect rigorous scholarship with societal impact Build professional networks and a sense of scholarly belonging The Summer School provides a unique platform for emerging African scholars to reconceptualize the social sciences and humanities from an African perspective, advancing Mudimbe’s vision for transformative scholarship. Important Dates Summer School: 20–24 July 2026 Application Deadline: 1 May 2026 VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the summer studies. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.