Africa: Past, Present & Prospects
This series collates and curates studies of Africa in its multivalent local, regional, and global contexts. It aims fundamentally to capture in one series historical, contemporary and multidisciplinary studies which analyze the dynamics of the African predicament from deeply theoretical perspectives while marshalling empirical data to describe, explain, and predict trends in continuities and change in Africa and in African studies.

The books published in this series represents the multiplicity of voices, local and global in relation to African futures. It not only represents diversity, but also provides a platform for convergence of outstanding research that will enliven debates about the future of Africa, while also advancing theory and informing policy making. Preference is given to studies that deliberately link the past with the present and advances knowledge about various African nations by extending the range, breadth, depth, types and sources of data and information existing and emerging about these countries.

The platform created proceeds from the assumption that there is no singular “African experience”, nor is it possible to, in any way, homogenize the identities, histories, spaces and lives of African people.

This series seeks to engage in the broader conversations about African futures in specific ways. It will foreground:

  • how the African past connects with the future;
  • the causes and courses of the current predicament of African underdevelopment and de-development;
  • the connections and disconnections between the experiences of various African countries;
  • bilateral and multilateral relations including sub-regional and regional movements and institutions in which African states play key roles and which determine political and economic outcomes for various other nations;
  • comparative studies which shed light on the extraversion of the continent, as well as issues related to globalization, the African diaspora and the disciplinary and transdisciplinary frames for studying these pan-African elements of African Studies; and
  • multiple frames and methodologies for understanding these issues.

We welcome proposals for the new series. To discuss potential book proposal, please contact Toyin Falola (toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu).



Editor(s): Toyin Falola (The University of Texas, Austin) and Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso (Brandeis University)
Advisory Board: Alexius Amtaika, Rhodes University, South Africa June Bam Hutchison, University of Cape Town, South Africa Gloria Emeagwali, Central Connecticut State University, USA Bonny Ibhawoh, McMaster University, Canada Alice J. Kang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA Henry B. Lovejoy, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA Peace A. Medie, University of Ghana at Legon, Ghana Fatima Sadiqi, University of Fez, Morocco Mobolanle Ebunoluwa Sotunsa, Babcock University, Nigeria Tim Stapleton, University of Calgary, Canada Aribidesi Usman, Arizona State University, USA
Staff editorial contact: Sydney Williams (Sydney.Williams@bloomsbury.com)