Centre of African Studies

****Our History**** Founded in 1965 by anthropologist [Audrey Richards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Richards), the Cambridge Centre of African Studies was established to foster interdisciplinary research and teaching on Africa across the University. Originally modelled as an area studies hub, the Centre now serves as a global focal point for Africa related research in the social sciences, humanities, and biological sciences. ****Academic Community and Evolution**** Today, the Centre hosts a vibrant community of resident scholars, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting researchers—many of whom join from African universities. While historically recognized for its pioneering work in African history and social anthropology, the Centre’s expertise has recently expanded to include: - African politics and political ecology - African intellectual history - The study of Christianity in Africa ****Our Mission**** The Centre’s primary mission is to advance research and teaching on Africa while building deep academic partnerships with African scholars and institutions. We achieve this through: - Dynamic Programming: Hosting intensive seminar series, workshops, public lectures, and conferences. - Collaborative Initiatives: Supporting projects like the Black Cantabs, the Decolonising the Curriculum group, and the Cambridge Africa Film Festival. - Scholarly Resources: Our specialized [African Studies Library](https://www.library.african.cam.ac.uk/) and archives serve as a dedicated hub for MPhil, PhD, and visiting researchers from across the university.