The Institute

For more than 30 years now, the Institute of African Studies has been providing the foundation and framework for Africa-related research and teaching at the University of Bayreuth. The institute is a reliable cooperation partner, both on an international and national level as well as on a regional and local level.

As the central coordination point for the Africa focus, the IAS bundles and coordinates Africa-related research and teaching, stimulates interdisciplinary research projects, supports Africa-related third-party funding applications, and promotes cooperation with African universities and research institutions, with national and international Africa institutes, and other relevant organizations.

The IAS also forms the institutional umbrella for all specifically Africa-related institutions at the University of Bayreuth. These include the Iwalewahaus, the Cluster of Excellence “Africa Multiple” as well as the “Research Center Africa” (FZA), which is currently being planned.

African studies is an important and interdisciplinary research focus at the University of Bayreuth. This was already manifested in the founding deed of the university in 1975 and confirmed in the current university development plan. Currently, the institute has more than 80 members, including around 40 professors.