Who We Are

The Center for African Studies (CAS) is the home for African Studies on the Stanford campus. Since its founding in 1969, its core academic mission is to pursue and support research and teaching linked to the African continent and its diaspora. More recently, the establishment of the new Department of African and African American Studies (DAAAS) in January 2024 provides new and exciting opportunities for academic collaboration: CAS will support the African Studies-focused research of faculty and students and will be the research-intensive “think-tank” space within which DAAAS faculty and students experiment with innovative research ideas, participate in regular seminars and workshops, host major national and international research grants, and build up an international community of prominent African Studies visiting scholars. Additionally, CAS and DAAAS will work closely with the Stanford Language Center to expand the instruction of African languages. Students, both undergraduate and graduate, play a vital role in this intellectual vision.

About the Center for African Studies

CAS coordinates an ambitious and interdisciplinary program in African Studies for both undergraduate and graduate students, deepening our understanding of the multiple factors that have shaped and continue to shape highly diverse African societies, including with reference to Africa's diaspora populations. Explore our academic programs.

CAS is affiliated with internationally renowned faculty from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, who conduct cutting edge research that shapes academic and policy discourse and teach interdisciplinary Africa-related courses. View our faculty.

  • CAS hosts visiting scholars from all over the world with different academic and professional backgrounds. Scholars contribute to ongoing research, give lectures, and hold events throughout the academic year. Current visiting scholars.
  • Faculty at CAS have published groundbreaking books and articles, and continue to release new material. View our featured publications.

CAS provides students engaged in African Studies with opportunities for African language study, mentorship by leading scholars within African Studies, and research on the African continent. Below are just a few of the programs and resources we're connected with.