in collaboration with
Call for communication Framework. This call for communications is part of the international symposium African Research Matters – Imagining African futures in response to global challenges. This conference is co-organised by Gaston Berger University (GBU) and the French National Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD), in partnership with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in the framework of the "Global Africa" project, supported by the French Development Agency (AFD). It will be accompanied by the “L’escale des livres”, scientific book fair at which publishers of books and journals will present their publications.
Context. Organised to celebrate the publication of the inaugural issue of the Global Africa journal, this international conference aims to provoke discussion and debate around epistemological challenges, conditions of existence, political economy, social legitimacy and the capacity of Pan-African research to influence the world in the face of global challenges. Plenary sessions and with top-level experts will focus on the place of multidisciplinary humanities and social sciences in facilitating critical reflection on the continent and its social, political, cultural, economic and scientific trajectories in the context of globalisation.
Communications may be submitted for one or more of the symposium’s 12 panels. The titles and summaries of the thematic framework of the panels can be found below: Panel 1: What is the place of African research in international governance of global challenges (health, climate, energy, trade, peace and security)? In an age of globalization and a time when the planet is facing major health, economic and environmental crises, a few major international institutions have the responsibility of preparing the world’s future. Does African research, particularly in the field of human sciences, occupy the place it deserves in the reflection and actions taken by these institutions? How can this research address the issues that are specific to the African continent?
Panel 2: Open science and international visibility of African research: obstacles and challenges A researcher’s work has a multidimensional effect, through the publication of articles in journals and books, and the sharing of results at seminars or conferences. Furthermore, the recent international open science movement promotes new ways of spreading knowledge. Given that it advocates for free access to research publications and data, open science represents an important issue for the African continent. What dynamic can it encourage for the dissemination and visibility of African research? What factors could slow down or facilitate its implementation?
Panel 3: Reimagining African university presses As sites of knowledge production and transmission, universities have always striven to disseminate this knowledge by editing and publishing scientific works. However, African universities, particularly in the field of social sciences and humanities, have experienced difficulties and inequalities in establishing solid editorial activity as an institution. Looking at the current state of African university presses, it is important to investigate their relevance, role and social impact in a globalised, digitalised, disruptive context. How can we (re)imagine the development of African university presses, specifically as a vector of legitimacy, visibility and implementation for knowledge production in social sciences?
Panel 4: Artificial intelligence and social sciences in Africa For African research, the next few years will be decisive in terms of artificial intelligence (AI). Some consider AI to be a considerable development opportunity for Africa, even though these technologies are still mainly developed outside the continent. Digital technology has profoundly modified international social science research, including through means of data production, transmission, exploitation and analysis. How can African research, particularly in the social sciences, monitor and integrate all or some of the innovations from AI and other digital technologies? In what ways can AI contribute to the development of social sciences in Africa? How can social sciences in Africa contribute to the international discussion on AI’s impact and limitations?
Panel 5: Readings and perspectives of transhumanism in Africa The World Transhumanist Association’s mission is described in Article 1 of the 2002 Transhumanist Declaration: “Humanity will be radically changed by technology in the future. We foresee the feasibility of redesigning the human condition, including such parameters as the inevitability of aging, limitations on human and artificial intellects, unchosen psychology, suffering, and our confinement to the planet earth.” One of the objectives of transhumanism also involves reaching very advanced levels of human-machine hybridisation, meaning that transhumanism and artificial intelligence are inextricably interwoven. Experts therefore promise the arrival of machines that will surpass human intelligence. This high level of artificial intelligence is the path that will lead beyond transhumanism, to posthumanism. Far from being science fiction, this perspective needs to be considered very seriously, looking at the latest technology developments, the financial and human resources invested in this area and the top-level expertise held by leaders of this project, particularly GAFA. In the face of these visions of radical disruptions to humanity, what is Africa’s role in the current scientific, ethical and civilisational reflections? Is there any research in Africa around transhumanism, looking ahead to posthumanism? If so, in what areas? In Africa, there are images and symbols that could be connected to figures of transhumanism: for example, in certain shows or performances by African artists, there are figures made from machines and men/women; on the symbolic level, ancient imaginaries are filled with half-man, half-animal figures (panther-men, crocodile-men, python-men). To what extent do these clues evoke transhumanism and more precisely, are they being studied in reference to these global debates? Communications for this panel should discuss this emergence or resurgence of “African readings” of transhumanism, which provide an opportunity to discuss and even revive global debate around this question.
Panel 6: Endogenous languages and knowledge In mainstream science, English is dominant, especially compared to the place of African languages. This can be observed in the number of English publications in high-quality journals. This results in an imbalance between the actual production of knowledge, its forms of expression (significant diversification of languages) and its dissemination (over-representation of English). Yet the dissemination of knowledge in languages other than English not only makes it possible to reach a new audience, often those directly affected by the subjects addressed, it also enables the expression of thoughts that are truer to the author’s ideas. How can we ensure a recognition of other forms of expression than English, including as a supplement to English, that satisfies this standard of fairness, which is also an epistemological matter?
Panel 7: Reflection on environmental humanities in Africa In Africa, the relationship between societies and nature is the focus of ancient reflections and enormous stereotypes. With the emergence of political ecology, major international conferences on the environment, and methods of analysing the effects of climate change, this debate is intensifying and mobilising the entire scientific community. In light of this context, what new approaches to environmental issues do human sciences in Africa have to offer? How can places for training and reflection on these questions be structured, including academically?
Panel 8: Research ethics and practices in Africa Research fieldwork and subjects are becoming more complex: questions around security, access to data and sites, political sensitivity, and the rights of “surveyed” people are growing in presence and size. Based on these difficulties, research on the continent may identify opportunities to define a new “social contract” between researchers and those that make it possible for them to do their work.
Panel 9: Is the end of the decolonisation of knowledge in sight? The history of science has taught us that institutional and geographic sites of knowledge production have a direct effect on the nature of said knowledge. Africa is no exception to this rule; the challenge is therefore to understand how knowledge production, undertaken from the continent and using understanding anchored here, can make it possible to rebuild knowledge, whether in terms of words, concepts or uses, which for too long have been transmitted or even imposed from overseas. This panel aims to discuss these questions, without losing sight of reflections on the universalising vocation and influence of this knowledge.
Panel 10: The position of women in humanities and social science research: how to break the glass ceiling? “The mind has no sex”, said François Poullain de La Barre. However, gender inequalities do not seem to be improving, in particular for female researchers, who are often underpaid or faced with high rates of unemployment. African women are underrepresented in research in general, and in the humanities and social sciences in particular. Despite evolutions in their status and their contributions to university research programmes and teaching, they are not able to reach positions of responsibility, or they take longer to get there. However, school and university trajectories show that women excel more than their male counterparts. So, it is clear that taking gender into consideration has not assisted in advancing the position of women in Africa. Is an approach that only aims to achieve quantitatively balanced gender representation a hindrance to satisfying the demands of feminist movements? What obstacles do female researchers face in their careers in Africa? What gender-related mindsets are slowing down or advancing women in the professional hierarchy and on the labour market?
Panel 11: The place of Pan-Africanism in university curricula and research Pan-Africanism is one of the most ambitious intellectual and political projects formulated by Africa since the 19th century, focused towards the social, economic, cultural and political emancipation of Africans living on the continent and in the diasporas. It is based around the idea of unity, shared history and common destiny between the peoples of Africa and the diasporas, despite practices that vary between time periods and areas. At universities, it is hardly studied nor taught, and sometimes remains hindered by hagiographic perspectives focused on some major male figures. And yet, it is a fascinating subject for study, ripe for interdisciplinarity and breaking down geographic and linguistic borders. How can we refresh our understanding of the history of Pan-Africanism? Can we bring Pan-Africanism into curricula, without favouring study of the African diasporas? What barriers are limiting the development of university research programmes on Pan-Africanism? What critical approaches to Pan-Africanism could be promoted to understand its related political, social and cultural complexities?
Panel 12: Africa’s encounters with itself and the world. How can Africa be conceived from other continents? On the other hand, how can the continent’s diversity be reflected on from within Africa? But also, how is the world considered through Africa? It is in these exchanges of perspectives that the originality and multiplicity of the African continent’s social and political trajectories can be revealed: while they are systematically affirmed and recognised, they are rarely described and analysed in terms of their contributions.
Submissions. Proposals for communications must be submitted by 5 January 2022 at 6.00 pm GMT at the latest on the conference website: https://globalafrica.sciencesconf.org.To do so, you will need to create an account on the Scienceconf platform if you do not have one already: https://www.sciencesconf.org/ (click on the Login button at the top right) Each communication proposal must be written in English or French according to the following outline:
The communication selection committee’s decision will be announced in late January 2022, with the understanding that by submitting a communication proposal, the author undertakes to attend the symposium in person and present it at the corresponding panel if their communication is selected. Transport, accommodation and meal costs will be covered by the symposium organisers. Contact. conference@globalafricasciences.org |
