Arts Council of African Studies Association (ACASA) call for Webinar proposals

 The Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA) invites proposals from ACASA members for its upcoming (Spring / Fall) webinar series. This initiative aims to foster timely, engaging, and innovative conversations in the field of African art history and related disciplines.

We welcome proposals that address emerging topics, revisit critical questions, or bring new perspectives to ongoing scholarly, curatorial, and artistic conversations. Webinars may take the form of panels, roundtables, interviews, or other creative formats. Faculty members may also sponsor graduate student panels through their ACASA membership and serve as mentors throughout the proposal and presentation process.

Proposal Guidelines

Applicants are invited to submit the following materials:

• A brief proposal (500 words) outlining the theme, central questions, and relevance of the webinar
• A proposed title
• A list of (no more than 4) participants (including organizers, speakers, moderators, or respondents) with brief bios
• A description of the format (e.g., panel, roundtable, conversation)
• Preferred timing within the season (if applicable)

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to current conversations in the field
• Clarity and strength of the central theme
• Feasibility of the proposed format
• Submitter must be an active ACASA Member (panelists are encoraged to join ACASA, but it is not required) 

What ACASA Provides

Selected proposals will receive:

• Logistical and technical support for hosting the webinar
• Promotion through ACASA’s communication channels
• An honorarium for the organizer and each participant (no more than 4 recipients total)

Timeline

• Proposal Deadline: September 1st, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: September 15th, 2026
• Webinar Window: October 15th - December 15th, 2026

Selected applications will also be required to submit project updates to ACASA at key stages leading up to the webinar to ensure continued engagement, accountability, and the overall quality of the program. 

Submission Instructions

Please submit proposals, no later than September 1, as a single PDF to bastian@acasaonline.org with the subject line: ACASA Webinar Proposal – Fall 2026. 

 

For any questions or issues, please email Caroline Bastian at bastian@acasaonline.org

Conversation with Yinka Shonibare CBE at the 2018 Art X Lagos

MOWAA Drum Fellowship 2026-27

 

MOWAA DRUM Fellowship  We are delighted to announce the launch of MOWAA’s inaugural DRUM Fellowship, a new interdisciplinary programme exploring the histories, legacies and contemporary resonances of DRUM through archival research, creative practice and public engagement.  Developed as an extension of MOWAA's Social History Archives practice, the fellowship reflects our commitment to expanding access to archives and collections as sites of inquiry, cultural memory and creative production. It foregrounds the archive not as a static repository, but as a living space for reinterpreting Africa's social and visual histories and generating new forms of knowledge. The fellowship is made possible through MOWAA's collaboration with Bailey’s African History Archive(BAHA)and the generous support of the Ford Foundation. Running from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, fellows will engage directly with archival materials through a programme of research, mentorship and public engagement, developing projects that critically examine DRUM's enduring influence on media, identity, politics and culture across Africa and its diasporas. Learn more about the DRUM Fellowship and apply here. Applications close at 12:00 AM on 16 August 2026.   Application Guidelines

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Webinar: Topic: Africa’s Innovation Paradox: From Strategy to Systems (July 28, 2026)

Description: The Africa Innovation Council, in partnership with Princeton University’s Africa World Initiative (AWI), launches its flagship webinar series with a timely discussion on one of the continent’s most consequential questions: Why has Africa, despite decades of innovation policies, scientific advancement, and entrepreneurial growth, not yet transformed knowledge into industry at scale?

Speakers
H.E. Prof. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni
Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in Charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Kingdom of Morocco 

H.E. Prof. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni is Morocco’s Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform and an internationally recognized expert in artificial intelligence. A former Distinguished Professor at Sorbonne University and former Executive President of Morocco’s International Center for Artificial Intelligence (AI Movement), she is a leading authority in distributed AI and multi-agent systems. Prof. El Fallah Seghrouchni has published more than 200 scientific works and has played a prominent role in advancing AI research, digital transformation, and innovation policy across Africa and globally.

Jean-Philbert Nsengimana
Chairman, Africa Digital Health Networks

Jean-Philbert Nsengimana is Chief Digital Health Advisor at Africa CDC, where he leads efforts to advance digital transformation and innovation across African health systems. Previously Rwanda's Minister of Youth and ICT, he spearheaded the Smart Africa Alliance and YouthConnekt Africa, two influential pan-African initiatives focused on digital transformation and youth empowerment. A recognized leader in technology, public policy, and digital inclusion, he has devoted his career to harnessing digital innovation to improve health outcomes and economic opportunity across the continent.

Prof. Brando Okolo
Head of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) 

Prof. Brando Okolo is Head of Science, Technology and Innovation at AUDA-NEPAD, where he oversees the implementation of continental science, technology, and innovation policies and programs. With more than two decades of experience spanning academia, research, and industry, he has worked extensively in advanced manufacturing, materials science, and industrial innovation. A leading advocate for innovation-driven development, Prof. Okolo works with governments, universities, and industry partners to strengthen Africa’s capacity for technological advancement and industrial transformation.

Prof. Chika Okeke-Agulu
Director, Africa World Initiative; Robert Schirmer Professor of Art and Archaeology and African American Studies, Princeton University; Chair, Africa Innovation Council 

Prof. Chika Okeke-Agulu is a distinguished Nigerian art historian, curator, critic, and scholar specializing in African and African diaspora art history. He serves as Director of Princeton University’s Africa World Initiative and is the Robert Schirmer Professor of Art and Archaeology and African American Studies. A Fellow of the British Academy and an internationally recognized intellectual leader, he has authored numerous influential books and curated major exhibitions around the world. As Chair of the Africa Innovation Council, he champions interdisciplinary collaboration connecting research, culture, innovation, entrepreneurship, and public policy across Africa and its global partners

Moderator
Sheena Raikundalia
Chief Growth Officer, Kuza One
Board Member, Kenya National Innovation Agency 

Sheena Raikundalia is a recognized leader in African innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and impact investing. Formerly head of the UK–Kenya Tech Hub, she works to connect capital, policy, and markets to support entrepreneurship, technology adoption, and inclusive economic growth across Africa.

Additional Information on the Africa Innovation Council: