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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The success story of African studies at the University of Bayreuth continues to unfold: the Cluster of Excellence Africa Multiple: Reconfiguring African Studies, established in 2019, has successfully competed in a rigorous selection process and will receive funding for an additional seven years. This decision has sparked widespread celebration in Bayreuth and across the African cluster locations, as it now paves the way for the implementation of a collaborative and ambitious research programme with new thematic focuses.
Since its establishment in 2019, the Bayreuth Cluster of Excellence has been dedicated to reshaping African research through collaborative efforts with African researchers, adopting an interdisciplinary and globally networked approach. In close collaboration with four partner universities across the African continent, the University of Bayreuth has focused on themes such as 'art and aesthetics,' 'knowledge,' 'mobilities,' 'regional integration,' 'moralities,' and 'learning,' aiming to pioneer innovative forms of knowledge production in African studies. This collaboration has established entirely new benchmarks for cooperation in recent years.
In its second funding phase set to commence in January 2026, 'Africa Multiple,' will further intensify this academic collaboration, aiming to elevate the reorganization of African studies to new heights. The forthcoming thematic areas ‘Digitalities,' 'Ecologies,' 'Accumulation,' 'Insecurities,' 'Remembering,' and 'Translating’ have been collectively developed by researchers across the five cluster locations. Targeted initiatives will enhance interdisciplinarity, promote gender equality and diversity in research, and improve joint research data management. The establishment of joint platforms to support early-career scholars and facilitate mobility between locations seeks to build sustainable structures enduring beyond the funding period. As a result, the cluster will play an even more pivotal role in shaping the University of Bayreuth's internationalization strategy and driving its continued advancement. Consequently, African Studies at the University of Bayreuth is solidifying its position as a hub for innovative academic dialogue and further cementing its place on the academic landscape.
To foster nuanced, multi-perspective understandings of Africa, the Cluster of Excellence continues its partnership with four African universities, established in 2019: The University of Lagos (Nigeria), Moi University (Eldoret, Kenya), Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso), and Rhodes University (Makhanda, South Africa). These institutions are far more than mere local branches; rather, scholars from diverse locations will collaborate closely as Africa Multiple Research Centres (AMRCs) in all forthcoming research projects undertaken by the Cluster. Together, they will engage in reflective research, collectively gather and analyse data, and collaboratively train a new generation of young researchers, thereby unlocking new insights into the diversity of Africa and its diasporas.
Quotes on the extension of excellence funding:
Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, President of the University of Bayreuth:
"The extension of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence is a momentous achievement and a testament to the exceptional efforts of our researchers. With the cluster, Bayreuth has emerged as a preeminent global hub for innovative African research—we are now advancing along this path with renewed vigour. As a vibrant centre for cutting-edge research and pioneering forms of research collaboration, the Cluster is making a significant scientific and societal impact that extends far beyond the University's boundaries. We are particularly delighted that Bayreuth remains a shining star in the constellation of excellence with Africa Multiple."
Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Seesemann, Cluster Spokesperson:
"Our journey into new dimensions of African research continues. This recognition is a wonderful acknowledgment of all those who have contributed to this scholarly endeavour. Our gratitude extends to the dedicated researchers for their unwavering dedication, to the members of our advisory board for their invaluable insights, and to the leadership of the participating universities and the State of Bavaria for their trust and steadfast support. We take pride in our accomplishments and eagerly anticipate the next stages of this journey."
Prof. Dr. Ute Fendler, Deputy Cluster Spokesperson:
"We are delighted with this outcome. The second funding phase provides us with the opportunity to deepen and expand our international collaborations, particularly in South America and Asia, and to establish new research areas and innovative approaches. The collaborative exploration with our African partners remains central to our work."
Funding Phase I: The research findings on the topics of "art and aesthetics", "knowledge", "mobilities", "regional integration", "moralities" and "learning" have been disseminated through numerous publications. Additionally, 15 international conferences and over 600 scientific events were organised, with approximately 200 of these taking place at the African locations. These events engaged both academic audiences and non-academic stakeholders, ensuring scientific communication within the regions and beyond university boundaries. In Bayreuth, activities extended to schools, aiming to critically reflect on perceptions of Africa and address related topics such as "social diversity" and "anti-discrimination." This initiative led to the development of teaching materials for Year 10 students in Bavarian schools. Furthermore, collaboration with artists played a pivotal role in advancing transdisciplinary research methods in African studies.
Funding Phase II: The implementation of the cluster's new research agenda, Bayreuth's Africa Research, will commence on 1 January 2026. Prior to this, in early 2025, the previously dispersed research activities in Bayreuth were consolidated at the new Research Centre Africa (FZA) on campus. The physical proximity of researchers in this state-of-the-art facility will foster synergies and enhance collaboration. In addition to biennial international conferences, the cluster plans to introduce new event formats, alternating specialised scientific gatherings with high-profile events featuring artists, policymakers, and civil society representatives.
In the realm of school education, collaboration with teachers will be expanded to present Africa in a more nuanced manner in school curricula—such as through classroom visits by African researchers and artists. The existing PLURA platform for teaching materials will be expanded to include resources in African languages, such as Swahili and Yoruba. Moreover, the cluster will introduce new digital teaching formats, further enhancing its impact on higher education, which is already robust through master's programmes and certificate courses like the Bavaria-wide afriZert programme.
Funding Details: With a proposal volume of 52 million euros through 2032, the Cluster submitted its renewal application in August 2024 as part of the national Excellence Strategy. The exact funding amount will be announced in the grant notification expected by the end of June 2025.
About the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments: The Excellence Strategy aims to strengthen Germany's position as a global hub for science and research, enhancing its international competitiveness. Clusters of Excellence and Universities of Excellence are selected through rigorous, science-driven evaluation processes conducted by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Council of Science and Humanities on behalf of the federal and state governments. Since January 2019, 57 Clusters of Excellence have been funded for seven years. To bolster Germany's standing in international scientific competition, 539 million euros per year will be allocated for up to 70 Clusters of Excellence during the second funding period. From 2026, the Excellence Strategy will provide a total of 687 million euros annually, including funding for "Universities of Excellence." Seventy-five per cent of the funding is provided by the federal government, with the remaining 25 per cent contributed by the respective host state of the Cluster of Excellence or University of Excellence.
Sabine Greiner
Science Journalist at the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, University of Bayreuth
Phone: +49 (0) 921 55-6940
E-mail: sabine.greiner@uni-bayreuth.de
https://www.africamultiple.uni-bayreuth.de
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