[Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, October 28, 2023] — The African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA) proudly announces the winner of the prestigious Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award for Excellence in African Writing, awarded biennially in honour of the late Professor Pius Adesanmi, a distinguished Nigerian-born, Canada-based scholar whose untimely passing in March 2019 left an indelible mark on the global African Studies community.
Established to recognize excellence in African writing, the Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award for Excellence in African Writing is awarded to an outstanding single-authored book that explores Africa and/or the global African world. The award seeks to celebrate works that push the boundaries of theory, concept, and methodology, showcasing the richness and diversity of African scholarship.
At the closing Gala of the 5th Biennial Conference of the Association, held in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, from October 24 to 28, 2023, the winner for the ASAA2023 Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award for Excellence in African Writing was announced. Below are the winner and the two honourable mentions:
Winner: Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey for her book Development, (Dual) Citizenship and Its Discontents in Africa: The Political Economy of Belonging to Liberia, published by Cambridge University Press
1st Runner Up: Dr. Jacqueline-Bethel Tchouta Mougoué for her book Gender, Separatist Politics, and Embodied Nationalism in Cameroon, published by the University of Michigan Press
2nd Runner Up: Professor Ambreena Manji for her book The Struggle for Land and Justice in Kenya, published by James Currey
Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey's book Development, (Dual) Citizenship and Its Discontents in Africa stood out among the 22 submissions, demonstrating exceptional scholarship and contributing significantly to the field of African Studies.
The ASAA extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey and the Honorary Mentions for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of African scholarship. The Pius Adesanmi Memorial Book Prize not only celebrates individual achievement but also serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Professor Pius Adesanmi and his profound impact on the field of African Studies.
The African Studies Association of Africa resulted from extensive discussions among directors of various centres and institutes of African Studies in Africa as well as other scholars. The consultations led to a colloquium hosted by Professor Lungisile Ntsebeza at the Centre for African Studies (CAS), University of Cape Town, October 1-2, 2012. The colloquium was attended by representatives of many institutions including the University of Ghana (Ghana), Kenyatta University (Kenya), University of Botswana (Botswana), University of Pretoria (South Africa), University of Edwardo Mondlane (Mozambique), University of Cape Town (South Africa), Human Science Research Council (South Africa) and the Alternative Information Development Centre (AIDC), a South African NGO based in Cape Town. At this colloquium an interim working group (IWG) or steering committee was constituted to work on the establishment of an African based structure to promote African Studies on the continent. The ASAA was launched on October 25, 2013 at the International Conference on African Studies organised by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana (October 24-26, 2013). The ASAA has the mission to promote Africa's own specific contributions to the advancement of knowledge about the peoples and cultures of Africa and the Diaspora.
Ebenezer Kwesi Bosomprah
Executive secretary
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