The Department of African Studies and Anthropology draws on its long-standing commitment to interdisciplinarity and regional expertise to deliver cutting-edge and world-leading research on cultural and social life.
Founded in the 1960s as the Centre of West African Studies (CWAS), the department has evolved over the decades to become a leading anthropological research and teaching centre shaped by its interdisciplinary and Africanist roots. The Department of African Studies and Anthropology now comprises anthropologists and historians, Africanists and non-Africanists, who foster a friendly and supportive community through a shared attentiveness to learning from local expertise and cognate disciplines. Our research interests include oral histories, gender relations, economic life, migration, religion, activism, urban livelihoods and popular culture.
With over 60 years’ experience in supporting students from all over the world, including Africa, we value our diverse student body. We offer a variety of degrees in social anthropology and African studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Our doctoral students join us from all over the world to produce pioneering new research in a broad range of regional, disciplinary and thematic areas.
If you are looking for consultations on cultural, social, political or legal matters, please contact us.