Indiana University African Studies Program

Indiana University African Studies Program Information about the Indiana University African Studies Program

The African Studies Program has long been recognized as one of the leading centers for the interdisciplinary study of Africa. We are committed to being one of the nation's leading programs for the interdisciplinary study of Africa. Our diverse research, teaching, and outreach activities promote greater understanding and appreciation of the continent and its people. We also promote the study of Afr

ica in global perspective by cooperating with other area-studies programs, international centers, professional schools, and departments inside and outside Indiana University. All of our activities are conducted in accordance with our values stressing integrity, excellence, diversity, community, collaboration, and creativity.

Congratulations to the student curators for an outstanding exhibition highlighting apartheid and resistance through anti...
05/07/2026

Congratulations to the student curators for an outstanding exhibition highlighting apartheid and resistance through anti-apartheid posters in the IU Collections. Students from the course are now on their way to South Africa, where they will visit Johannesburg, Soweto, Sharpesville, Cape Town and more. Thank you to Dr. Alex Lichtenstein for creating incredible experience for IU students!

Congratulations to our Seniors! You will be missed, but we can’t wait to see what you will do next! For all our returnin...
05/07/2026

Congratulations to our Seniors! You will be missed, but we can’t wait to see what you will do next! For all our returning students, have a fantastic summer and we will see you in the fall!

THIS THURSDAY! May 7th, 4:00pm to 6:00 pm, join us for the opening of “Protesting South African Apartheid: A Visual Reco...
05/04/2026

THIS THURSDAY! May 7th, 4:00pm to 6:00 pm, join us for the opening of “Protesting South African Apartheid: A Visual Record.” McCalla Gallery, 525 N. Indiana Avenue, Bloomington, IN. Drawing from the significant collection of posters from across Africa, students in Dr. Alex Lichtenstein’s HON-H251 course History & Heritage in South Africa, selected and researched these visual public forms of resistance from the apartheid era. Come join us! Supported by the University Collections, Hutton Honors College, Dr. Alex Lichtenstein, and the IU African Studies Program.

African Studies would like to sincerely thank our Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants for this year, Femi and Louisa!...
04/25/2026

African Studies would like to sincerely thank our Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants for this year, Femi and Louisa! From the moment they arrived, they have been devoted to assisting in not only teaching IU students in Yoruba and Kiswahili, but have volunteered in the broader Bloomington community teaching K-12 students in their respective languages and cultures! IU, Bloomington, and African Studies are better because of them! Thank you so much Louisa Joy and Femi for all you have done! You are extraordinary individuals and we will miss you! Know that you will always be a part of IU African Studies!

African Studies wishes to congratulate PhD candidate Ibrahim Odugbemi on receiving the 2026 ASP Pedagogy Award! This awa...
04/24/2026

African Studies wishes to congratulate PhD candidate Ibrahim Odugbemi on receiving the 2026 ASP Pedagogy Award! This award recognizes outstanding teaching and/or pedagogical research by a graduate student in African Studies. Ibrahim has taught both Yoruba language and the popular Contemporary Africa course. He has received outstanding student evaluations for his teaching and support of students. Ibrahim Odugbemi is in The Media School, focusing on African film. He received an MA in African Studies from Indiana University-Bloomington, and an MA and a BA in English (Literature) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His research bridges Global South cinemas, African cinema, cultural studies, and literary studies. He has taught African Studies, worked with global media platforms, and led creative and knowledge-based initiatives in Nigeria and the United States. Congratulations, Ibrahim! Ibrahim was nominated by Dr. Tavy Aherne, and seconded by Dr. Kazeem Sanuth.

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Abimbola Abiola, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees!Abimbola graduate...
04/23/2026

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Abimbola Abiola, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees!
Abimbola graduates with a major in International Law and Institutions and a minor in African Languages (Yorùbá), leaving behind a legacy defined by excellence, leadership, and service. Over the past four years, she has devoted herself to studying Yorùbá, fully embracing the language as well as the culture, community, and connections that come with it.
Beyond the classroom, Abimbola has been deeply involved in numerous events and initiatives. Her presence has been felt across the African Studies Program and throughout Indiana University in ways that will continue long after graduation. As a founding member and the inaugural president of the Yoruba Student Association at Indiana University Bloomington, Abimbola helped build something lasting.
Her impact is enduring, her journey inspiring, and her future incredibly bright.
Congratulations, Abimbola! We are so proud of you!
Abimbola was nominated by Dr. Matthew Ajibade.

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Jacob Miner, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees! This award recognize...
04/23/2026

African Studies Program proudly celebrates Jacob Miner, one of our two Senior of the Year Awardees! This award recognizes graduating Seniors who distinguish themselves not only through their academics, but through their exceptional involvement with African Studies.

Jacob Minor will graduate with Honors in the Kelly School of Business, Management and International Business, and Dual Minors in African Studies and African Languages (Kiswahili).

Jacob is recognized for his outstanding academic record, sincere commitment to the study of African languages and Africa and its global diaspora, as well as his humility. He was a FLAS 2024-2025 Fellow awardee and finalist for the cancelled 2025-2026 FLAS competition. He has volunteered for the Bridges: Children, Language, World early language program for children in our community for several years now. Moreover, when he learned that Fairview Elementary needed assistance with Kiswahili translation for their “New Arrivals” students [refugee/immigrant families from DRC and Tanzania] and for parent-teacher conferences, Jacob volunteered. He has continued supporting other teachers and families at Fairview, Templeton, Arlington, and taught at both Bloomington North and South High Schools, while recruiting fellow Kiswahili language students to assist with this incredibly important service. He has been active in the ALCC student organization and volunteered with African Studies for other initiatives.

It’s IU Day 2026! Please consider supporting the IU African Studies Student Aid Fund or the ASP Enrichment Fund! Your ge...
04/22/2026

It’s IU Day 2026! Please consider supporting the IU African Studies Student Aid Fund or the ASP Enrichment Fund! Your generosity enables us to provide extraordinary opportunities for students, as well as support them in times of crisis. All donations through today will be matched up to $500.00. That means your funds go further to support your values! Go to https://bit.ly/4sMB8w0.

Congratulations to GSAS on its 12th Annual Conference on Africa! The theme of “Africa,Reflect!” dealt with the rapid tra...
04/21/2026

Congratulations to GSAS on its 12th Annual Conference on Africa! The theme of “Africa,Reflect!” dealt with the rapid transformation of Africa demographically, culturally, scientifically, environmentally, and economically. The interdisciplinary conference was attended by junior scholars from across the US. Special thanks to Dr. Solimar Otero, Professor in the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, for her keynote address “Verses to Made de Agra: A Witness to Kalunga’s Crossings.”

Today we celebrate Twalha Twaha Abbass, the 2026 Carleton T. Hodge Prize winner! Twalha joined the African Studies Progr...
04/21/2026

Today we celebrate Twalha Twaha Abbass, the 2026 Carleton T. Hodge Prize winner! Twalha joined the African Studies Program as a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant, but would go on to receive an MA in African Studies and pursue his PhD in Folklore with a focus on the work of Ngugi wa Thiongo. The Hodge prize is awarded yearly by the African Studies Program to recognize an advanced PhD student for their commitment to excellence in African Studies. The awardee is an individual who excels not only academically, but has been actively engaged in ASP activities, including K-16 outreach. Twalha began volunteering for African Studies shortly after he arrived at IU, working with Dr. Tavy Aherne and Dr. Alwiya Omar. Among his many contributions, he has served as an instructor for the Bridges early language program (winning a City of Bloomington award for best volunteers with his cohorts, Paul Ntinda and George Armstrong), taught the IU ASP Summer Swahili Camp, been an instructor for the IU Sumner Language Program in Kiswahili, served multiple years as president of the African Languages & Cultures Club (and the MC of our language festivals!), the vice President of GSAS, and much more. He is a published author, and has presented his research at national and international conferences, as well as for the ASP colloquium. He is a wonderful, supportive fellow grad and now mentor. Hongera, Twalha! Congratulations! Twalha was nominated by Tavy Aherne and seconded by Solimar Otero.

Join us TODAY now until 3:00 pm for HLS Day! Learn why YOU should understand Africa’s significance to global issues incl...
04/18/2026

Join us TODAY now until 3:00 pm for HLS Day! Learn why YOU should understand Africa’s significance to global issues including security, climate change and sustainability, global trade and more!

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