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Africa’s Entanglements in a Global World

Date

LUCAS-LAHRI Virtual Visiting Research Fellowships 2025-26 

Academics based at institutions on the African continent are invited to apply for a LUCAS-LAHRI Virtual Visiting Research Fellowship. Applicants are required to submit a project proposal on the theme of ‘Africa’s Entanglements in a Global World’. 

Dr Abel Ugba, Acting LUCAS Director, explains:  

‘The LUCAS-LAHRI Virtual Visiting Research Fellowship is a significant initiative for both Africa and the University of Leeds. The programme provides a platform for African researchers to engage in multidisciplinary studies on Africa's global interactions, challenging outdated narratives and highlighting the continent's active role in shaping global dynamics. For the University of Leeds, the fellowship strengthens its international partnerships, enriches its academic community with diverse perspectives, and underscores its commitment to global academic exchange and innovation.’  

The LUCAS-LAHRI Virtual Visiting Research Fellowship programme, now in its fifth year, offers scholars based at universities on the African continent the chance to collaborate with an academic member of staff based at the University of Leeds. Fellows work with a mentor over a 10-month period; they are granted access to the University’s digital resources, have opportunities to participate in online seminars, and are supported by LUCAS (Leeds University Centre for African Studies) and LAHRI (Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute). The Fellowship comes with an award of £1,000 to be used to pursue the proposed research. Fellows work on a well-defined piece of research, which leads to a tangible output such as a publication or a grant application.  

Multiple, multicoloured threads interweaving in wavy downward lines.

The 2025-26 call focuses on the theme of Africa’s Entanglements in a Global World. We invite proposals which engage in any of, but are not limited to, the following themes:  

  • Historical entanglements: Africa’s role in transcontinental trade, colonial networks, and postcolonial globalisation. 
  • Political and economic interdependencies: Africa’s engagement with global institutions, trade policies, migration, and development finance. 
  • Cultural and technological exchanges: The impact of digital globalisation, media, arts, and popular culture on African societies. 
  • Diaspora and transnationalism: African migration, diaspora communities, and global African identities. 
  • Environmental and ecological connections: Africa’s position in global climate change debates, resource governance, and sustainability practices. 
  • Knowledge production and global epistemologies: Africa’s role in global knowledge economies, indigenous knowledge systems, and decolonial intellectual movements. 

You can download the application guidance and application form. Should you have any questions, please email [email protected]

All application materials must be sent to [email protected] by the deadline of 12 noon (UK time) on 20 May 2025. 

The Visiting Fellowship will last 10 months from 1 August 2025 - 31 May 2026. 

You can find out more about recent fellows’ projects, which focused on the theme of ‘African Ecologies’, on our Visiting Fellows page.