We are pleased to announce an upcoming fully funded Academic Writing Workshop, aimed at fostering scholarly exchange and supporting the development of high-quality academic publications on International Politics in Africa. The workshop is generously funded by the British Academy. We invite applications from African early career scholars who wish to participate in this focused and collaborative environment.

Workshop Overview

The workshop will bring together a select group of academics to work intensively on draft papers, receive feedback from peers and journal editors, and engage in sessions designed to strengthen academic writing skills and research methodology. Participants will have the opportunity to present and refine a paper intended for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Participants’ research should focus on international politics in Africa broadly conceived, i.e., the empirical study and understanding of how African societies, citizens, governments, supranational institutions, and non-governmental organisations experience international politics. The workshop has the following three objectives:

• To evaluate how Africa's political, social and economic history can contribute to the development of an African International Relations school. 
• To review the appropriateness of different methodologies that can be applied when empirically evaluating international politics in Africa.
• To consider effective strategies of publishing research on Africa’s international relations in internationally reputable outlets, and to respond to methodological training needs to close publishing gaps. 

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

●      Hold a PhD in Political Science/International relations or be in the process of completing one.

●      Be a scholar currently employed at a higher education institution in Africa.

●      Be prepared to present and workshop a draft paper during the event.

●      In line with the funder’s guidelines, applicants should be based in higher education institutions in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania, or in a least developed country in Africa. 

Application Requirements

Interested applicants are asked to submit the following materials:

1. Cover Letter (max 500 words): Outlining your interest in the workshop, your current research focus, and what you hope to gain from the experience.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Including academic appointments, education, and a list of publications (if applicable).
3. Abstract (500 words max): A summary of the paper you intend to present and develop during the workshop. The abstract should include the research question, methodology, and expected contribution to the field. The abstract should aim to conform to the workshop’s broad theme of the intersection between African politics and International Relations.

Deadline for Applications: July 1, 2025
Workshop Dates: 7-9 April, 2026 
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Costs and Funding: Accommodation, travel to Nairobi and meals while at the workshop  will be covered by the organizers.

Submission Instructions

Please compile your application materials into a single PDF file and submit via email to m.chacha@bham.ac.uk with the subject line: Workshop Application – [Your Name].

Contact

For questions or further information, please contact Mwita Chacha at m.chacha@bham.ac.uk.