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Reconfigurations in Africa - and in African Studies
30 September - 02 October 2024, Bayreuth
Logo by Takudzwa Mukesi

Logo by Takudzwa Mukesi

Welcome to vad2024

The Institute of African Studies at the University of Bayreuth hosted the biennial conference of the Association for African Studies in Germany e.V. (VAD) from 30 September - 02 October.

Conference convenor was Prof. Dr. Andrea Behrends, current chairwoman of Vereinigung für Afrikawissenschaften in Deutschland (VAD)

Pircture gallery from the conference >>
Photo credit: Robert Götze/Fabrica Lux

Conferences

Panel discussions during the honorary doctorate award of Fatou Sow. Photo: Doris Löhr

Conferences

Cluster conference on “Medialities” in Bayreuth, 2022. Photo: fabricalux

The conference theme was Reconfigurations in Africa - and in African Studies, addressing current and past crises and processes of transformation on the African continent, as well as the need to critically reflect on the means — academic, artistic and otherwise – by which we approach them globally to expand knowledge production. To this point VAD2024 aims to bring Africa-related institutions outside of Africa, including museums, universities and associations, into conversation with parallel institutions in Africa.

VAD2024 took place in hybrid format to enable wide participation. Seven unique streams invite academics, activists, politicians, and artists to explore these themes from inter- and transdisciplinary perspectives.

View the streams

Key Dates

  • 28 June 2023 : Call for Panels begins
  • 30 September 2023: Call for Panels ends
  • 4 December 2023: Call for Papers begins
  • 31 January 2024: Call for Papers ends
  • 12 February 2024: Deadline for accepting / rejecting papers
  • 26 February - 3 April - Call for Funding
  • 8 April - Early bird registration opens
  • June - Early bird registration closes
  • Standard registration continues
  • 2 September - Unregistered content removed from conference programme
  • 29 September 2024: Young Scholars Day
  • 30 September - 2 October 2024: VAD2024

Get in touch

Conference contact email is

Welcome to Bayreuth!

The University of Bayreuth is a charming university city tucked in between the Fichtel Mountains and the Franconian lands of Bavaria. Your access to enchanting nature is guaranteed! The city is both renowned for its lush natural landscape, as well as its celebration of culture, especially classical music in the World heritage Margravial Opera House and the Wagner Festival Theatre. The University of Bayreuth is one of Germany‘s leading centres for African Studies. All Africa-related activities at the University of Bayreuth are coordinated by the Institute of African Studies, providing opportunities to advance studies in the humanities and social sciences and also natural sciences. Currently, it also houses the interdisciplinary „Africa Multiple“ Cluster of Excellence with its emphasis on critical African Studies. In the Iwalewahaus, founded in 1981, contemporary African art is documented, researched, and taught.

Uni
Das Paradies im Süden der Stadt © Ökologisch Botanischer Garten
Eremitage Laubengang
Afrika in Bayreuth - Das Iwalewahaus
Historisches Sudhaus
Institut für Afrikastudien
Cluster of Excellence
University of Bayreuth
African Studies Library
Univerein
Rainer W. Markgraf
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/DFG
VAD
VAD