Canadian Association of African Studies

The Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS), known in French as the Association canadienne des études africaines (ACEA), is Canada's national scholarly association dedicated to the study of Africa. According to its own materials, it has been promoting African studies and raising awareness of African issues in Canada since 1962. Its stated mission is to advance African studies in Canada and to foster collaboration between Canadian and African academic institutions. CAAS operates as a membership-based academic network. Its activities centre on facilitating knowledge exchange, enhancing understanding of Africa's diverse cultures and histories, informing Canadian policy debate on African issues, and bridging Canadian and African academic institutions. The association hosts annual conferences that provide a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange, and it invites members to submit research for consideration and to participate in its events. A central element of the association's work is the Canadian Journal of African Studies (CJAS), which CAAS describes as a vital platform for disseminating research and insights related to Africa and for fostering scholarly dialogue and the visibility of African studies in Canada. The association also presents awards and prizes, and offers memberships that provide networking opportunities with scholars and researchers dedicated to African studies. CAAS is bilingual, operating in both English and French, reflecting Canada's two official languages. Its leadership is drawn from the Canadian academic community; for example, its president Michael Akinpelu is an associate professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, whose research focuses on language policies and planning and their impact on sustainable development in multilingual environments. The association maintains an online presence at caas-acea.org, where it publishes information about memberships, publications, awards and prizes, and its annual conferences.

The Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS) states that it has been dedicated to promoting African studies and raising awareness of African issues in Canada since 1962. Founded during a period when African studies was emerging as a distinct field in Canadian universities, the association grew into a national network connecting scholars and researchers dedicated to the study of Africa. Over the decades, CAAS has built its activities around several core functions: facilitating knowledge exchange, enhancing understanding of Africa's diverse cultures and histories, informing Canadian policy debate on African issues, and bridging Canadian and African academic institutions. Its annual conferences became a recurring forum for dialogue and knowledge exchange among scholars. A defining element of the association's history is the Canadian Journal of African Studies (CJAS), which CAAS describes as a vital platform for disseminating research and insights related to Africa and for fostering scholarly dialogue and the visibility of African studies in Canada. The association also established awards and prizes to recognize contributions to the field. CAAS operates bilingually in English and French, consistent with Canada's official languages, and maintains an online presence at caas-acea.org where it publishes information about memberships, publications, awards and prizes, and its annual conferences. Its leadership is drawn from the Canadian academic community; its president Michael Akinpelu is an associate professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan.

• 1962

  CAAS is founded and begins promoting African studies and raising awareness of African issues in Canada.

A bilingual national scholarly association advancing African studies in Canada and fostering academic collaboration between Canada and Africa.

• Canadian Journal of African Studies (CJAS)

  A platform for disseminating research and insights related to Africa, fostering scholarly dialogue and enhancing the visibility of African studies in Canada.

• Annual Conference

  A recurring forum providing a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange among scholars.

• Membership

  Membership offering networking opportunities with scholars and researchers dedicated to African studies, access to research, and participation in annual conferences.

• Awards and Prizes

  Awards and prizes recognizing contributions to African studies.

1. 1Welcome to the Canadian Association of African Studies (CAAS)caas-acea.org
2. 2About Uscaas-acea.org
3. 3Canadian Association of African Studieswikidata.org