The following listing of learned societies, professional associations and networks is a resource for those engaged with African studies and related library and archive materials and interested in connecting with others working in areas of shared interest.
A fuller directory of organisations is signposted at the foot of the page. Information on significant library and archive collections within the UK is provided under [Libraries-Archives-Collections].
African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA)
Professional membership body for the library and information sector in Africa. AfLIA’s mission is to empower the library and information community to actively promote the African development agenda through dynamic services that transform livelihoods.
African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK)
ASAUK is the UK’s national subject association for Africanists within the academic community. Its objectives are “to advance African Studies, particularly in the United Kingdom, by providing facilities for the interchange of information and ideas and the coordination of activities”.
African Studies Association
Membership organisation devoted to enhancing the exchange of information about Africa. Open to individual and institutional members worldwide who have a scholarly or professional interest in Africa, the African Studies Association encourages the production and dissemination of knowledge about Africa, past and present. Hosts an international conference, publishes two journals (the African Studies Review and History in Africa) and grants awards and prizes.
African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA)
Membership organisation established to promote Africa’s own specific contributions to the advancement of knowledge about the peoples and cultures of Africa and the Diaspora.
European Conference on African Studies (ECAS)
The Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies (AEGIS) organises a biennial European Conference on African Studies (ECAS). Europe’s largest and most international conference with an African focus.
European Librarians in African Studies (ELIAS)
Informal network for librarians, archivists and other information workers who work with materials from and about Africa in European libraries, archives, NGOs and other organisations. Aims to promote exchange and cooperation amongst its members and promote the accessibility of African resource materials of any kind.
Royal African Society
A London-based membership charity and through events, publications, networks and digital channels it works to facilitate mutual understanding and dialogue between people in the UK, Africa and the rest of the world, acting as a catalyst for positive change.
International African Institute (IAI)
The IAI seeks to promote the scholarly study of Africa’s history, societies and cultures. The Institute publishes the journal Africa, the Journal of African Cultural Studies, (with SCOLMA) Africa Bibliography, Research and Documentation, and the International African Library series.
Directory of scholarly associations on Africa
Columbia University Libraries maintains a fuller directory of learned societies, scholarly and professional associations (including other bodies and directories) related to the study of Africa’s history, societies and cultures as part of its virtual library.
Directory of Scholarly Associations on Africa & Other Directories
The directory is arranged alphabetically. Contributions to the directory come from the Columbia University Libraries’ Global Studies division and is part of the University’s collection of African Studies Internet Resources.