The African Humanities Association (AHA) invites scholars, researchers, and creative practitioners to its 2026 Biennial Conference on the theme “Engaging Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts Scholarship in Africa: Milestones and Aspirations.” This landmark gathering serves as a vibrant forum for advancing critical conversations in the humanities, fostering interdisciplinary exchange, and reflecting on the evolving trajectories of knowledge production across Africa and beyond. Building on the Association’s commitment to nurturing intellectual traditions and creative inquiry, the 2026 Conference seeks to celebrate achievements, interrogate new directions in scholarship, and envision a shared future for the humanities on the continent. Participants will engage with diverse perspectives that transcend boundaries of geography, discipline, and language—strengthening networks and enriching the collective pursuit of humanistic thought.

Call for Papers

Submissions are invited for individual and co-authored papers and panels on the following themes

  • Decolonizing Knowledge and Scholarship in Africa (Indigenous epistemologies and knowledge, Rethinking Eurocentric curricula and frameworks, Language, identity, and power in discourse)
  • Milestones in African Thought and Intellectual Traditions (Key scholars, movements, and schools of thought, African philosophies and global influence, Literature, orature, and historical memory)
  • Art, Culture, and Society: Expressions and Transformations (Visual and performing arts as social critique, Contemporary African cultural production, Digital arts, new media, and creative industries)
  • Humanities and the Public Sphere (Civic engagement, activism, and policy impact, Humanities in democracy and governance, Storytelling, media, and public intellectualism)
  • Intersections of Social Sciences and Development in Africa (Social policy, inequality, and economic justice, Migration, urbanization, and social transformation, Education, health, and sustainable livelihoods)
  • Gender, Power, and Social Justice in African Scholarship (Feminist and queer perspectives, Intersectionality and representation, Transformative justice and inclusion)
  • Future Aspirations: Innovation, Collaboration, and Digitalization (AI, digital humanities, and tech-enabled research, Inter/transdisciplinary collaborations, Youth-led scholarship and pedagogy)
  • African Scholarship in the Global Arena (African voices in international academic discourse, Diaspora linkages and knowledge exchange, Publishing, access, and recognition politics)
  • Memory, Heritage, and Postcolonial Narratives (Archives, museums, and contested memories, Heritage preservation and historical disputes, Postcolonial critique and reconciliation)
  • Curriculum Transformation and Pedagogical Futures (Rethinking teaching methods, Community-based and experiential learning, African-centred education policy)

Guidelines for submission

Individual/Co-authored papers:

  • Paper title
  • Abstract (max. 250 words)
  • Name, affiliation, and brief bio (max 100 words)

Note: Paper title, abstract, author(s) affiliation(s) must be submitted as one document

Panel proposals

  • Theme of the panel
  • Name and affiliation of the convener
  • Abstract describing the panel theme (max. 500 words)
  • Names and affiliations of the proposed presenters
  • Individual paper titles and abstract (max. 250 words for each abstract)

Note: Panel theme, abstracts, authors affiliations must be submitted as one document

Submission

All individual/co-authored papers and panel proposals should be submitted online on https://tinyurl.com/2026-AHA-Conference

Important Dates

  • Deadline for abstract submission: April 31, 2026
  • Notification of acceptance: June 30, 2026
  • Conference dates: November 9-11, 2026

Contact Information

For inquiries and further information, contact the Local Organising Committee via email: conference@africanhumanitiesassociation.org