British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Foreword by Dr Thandika Mkandawire

Experience has taught us that Africa needs its humanities and social sciences. Attempts to improve Africa's prospects by focusing on scientific advances and the benefits accruing from them have all too often overlooked the important perspectives which the humanities and social sciences afford; perspectives which draw attention to the cultural and social dynamics of people and places and institutions. Much of the work undertaken to date has, however, been by scholars based outside the continent.The potential for African scholars to respond has steadily diminished, as their research centres have been under-funded and their energies diverted. Growing recognition that research and higher education matter is welcome, but it is vital that the social sciences and humanities are granted their rightful place, alongside the natural, engineering and medical sciences, if Africa’s development challenges are to be fully and properly addressed.

This report from the British Academy is a welcome contribution to the debate – not only a call to action, but an attempt to offer some concrete solutions.The product of an extensive consultation with African academics, it makes a powerful case for the humanities and social sciences. Crucially, it focuses on the practical aspects of research and the creation of an environment within which African academics can prosper.The importance of connections and collaboration between African researchers is emphasised, and links with scholars outside the continent are approached from this point of view. Universities are at the heart of research, but are struggling to advance this mission.The report is frank about the problems that they face, but sees the potential for new forms of national and regional cooperation to renew them. Strengthening research, as the report argues, rests fundamentally with the next generation of African scholars. If they are to be trained and developed to become the continent’s future research leaders, then Africa’s experienced researchers will need to invest their time and energy in this, and to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to take us forward.

Dr Thandika Mkandawire
Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)

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