The decolonization process of the mid-twentieth century was spurred on by decades of anticolonial rebellion throughout Africa and the diaspora. Yet, the nature, temporality, and consequences of decolonization remain contested. The tragic loss of human lives, the erosion of indigenous cultures, religions and languages, along with the depletion of natural resources have continued well beyond the period of decolonization. In fact, independent nations on the African continent and in the diaspora continue to contend with the hegemonic presence of former imperial powers as well as newer economic and resource-hungry global powers such as China and the United States. Efforts to denounce these global hegemonies and regain control of the land, politics, economy, language, and history of the African continent and its diasporas often go unnoticed in Western media, and in Western classrooms. In contrast, this conference, jointly organized by the New York African Studies Association (NYASA) and the University of Calabar, Nigeria aims to create dialogues and encourage exchanges between scholars, teachers, students, and community members, around the question of global hegemonies in Africa and the African diaspora, and the various ways in which their influence has been and continues to be addressed and combatted.

We invite papers that examine the continuing decolonization of global hegemonies in Africa and the African diaspora in conjunction with questions of sources and methodas, knowledge production, migration, health, labor, gender and sexuality, performing and visual arts, religion and spirituality, artefacts and museums, civic society, mental health and trauma, information technologies, economy, social sciences, pan-African youth mobilization, equity and integration in higher education, political engagement, environmental studies, and architecture. We welcome contributors from a range of disciplines, including political science, history, geography, architecture, literature, museum studies, medicine, law, religious studies, gender studies, music, Anthropology, sociology, archaeology, environmental studies, business and economics, etc. We also invite proposals from undergraduate students, graduate students, independent scholars and practitioners, as well as community leaders and members of the civic society. While the conference committee is particularly interested in proposals on the theme of decolonization and hegemonic discourses, we will also welcome proposals for presentations, panels, posters, and roundtables that address any dimension of African and African diasporic studies. We are also interested in presentations that reflect African knowledge productions systems such as music, dance, drumming and story-telling. Participants are also welcome to present their papers in African languages.

At the time of submitting your proposal, please indicate if you will need media resources (e.g. Audio-Visual Equipment) for your presentation. Also let us know if your presentation would be in an African language. 

Participants MUST be registered by this date in order to be listed in the program. After this date, participants may register at the more expensive Standard Registration Rate and participate in the conference, but they will not be listed in the program. Registration will be at www.nyasa.org. On this site, you will also find information about lodging and other logistical issues.

• Please submit your abstracts directly to nyasacalabar@gmail.com
• Abstracts should be between 250 to 350 words.
• Participants should submit only one paper abstract.
• Papers must have a maximum of two presenters
• Roundtables and panels may have up to 6 participants

• May 26th, 2023: Extended deadline for submission of panels, roundtable, papers, and workshop proposals.  Abstracts are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
• May 30, 2023: Conference Registration Deadline (Please remember that to be included i the Conference Program, you must register and pay for the Conference by this date.)
• April 4, 2023: Deadline for Early Bird Registration

• African Based Scholars: $50
• NYASA Members: $70
• International: $160

• African Based Scholars: $80
• NYASA Members: $120
• International: $220

Keynote Address by Professor Gomez

The Conference Book of Abstracts can be downloaded here.