YSI Africa Pre-Conference at the 17th Annual Meeting of the AEHN

The Young Scholars Initiative Africa Working Group, in association with the African Economic History Network (AEHN), invites young scholars (early career and advanced researchers) to submit abstracts for a pre-conference to be held prior to the 17th Annual Meeting of the African Economic History Network at the Faculty of Economics, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, on 26-27 September 2024.

Main Theme: “Advances and Retrogressions in the development of Africa”

The history of Africa over the years has been marked by various crises. These include financial, food, health and environmental crises, and they have shaped the development of the continent in one way or the other. Contemporary studies are therefore centered on how to solve these problems. We argue that an appreciation of the economic and historical trajectory of Africa would proffer an invaluable solution to these problems. Studies focusing on the economic history of Africa will enable policymakers to trace the origins, changes, and continuities of the aforementioned challenges and provide new solutions. On that note, young scholars whose studies are centered on the development trajectory of Africa are invited to apply for this pre-conference. Submissions can adopt primarily theoretical frameworks or be grounded in empirical investigations.

We prefer studies that focus on the following topics (but are not limited to):

• Environmental history of Africa
•  Mobilities and development (continental and diasporic)
• Historical roots of cross-country and cross-regional variation in African development
• Global crises and their impact on development.
• The interface between African economic history and contemporary African economic policymaking.
• The impact of  colonial, post-colonial governments on development.

Abstracts will be selected on the basis of their originality, innovation, and reflections, that correct existing biases and blindspots in African economic history. Preference will also be given to researchers that advance new research agendas.

The selected abstracts will be presented during the workshop on the 25th September 2024, allowing for in-depth discussions and feedback from both fellow young scholars and senior scholars who will be invited to serve as discussants.

Small travel stipends will be provided to the selected applicants.

In addition to paper presentations, the selected applicants are invited to attend to 17th Annual Meeting of AEHN from 26 to 27 September 2024.