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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Florida

Faculty Spotlight

Africa Eats: What a Room Full of Language Learners Proved This Spring

Africa Eats: What a Room Full of Language Learners Proved This Spring

Thursday May 14, 2026

On April 17, Africa Eats served as a semester-ending showcase organized by John Muchira, Coordinator of the Center for African Studies African Language Program. This event brought together African language students, their friends, faculty, and language instructors for an afternoon of performance, food, and conversation.
Fatimah Tuggar Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for 2026-27

Fatimah Tuggar Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for 2026-27

Tuesday April 28, 2026

Congratulations to Dr. Adrienne Strong, Associate Professor of Anthropology, on receiving the 2025–26 Faculty Advising/Mentor of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication to student mentorship.
UF announces university-wide teaching and advising winners

UF announces university-wide teaching and advising winners

Tuesday April 28, 2026

Congratulations to Dr. Adrienne Strong, Associate Professor of Anthropology, on receiving the 2025–26 Faculty Advising/Mentor of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication to student mentorship.
Closing the Gap Between Research and Real-World Policy

Closing the Gap Between Research and Real-World Policy

Thursday April 9, 2026

On Friday, March 27th, students and faculty gathered in Grinter Hall for From Research to Policy, a two-part event that moved from small-group student discussions to a closing faculty roundtable.
A Celebration of UF African History

A Celebration of UF African History

Tuesday February 24, 2026

The Center for African Studies and the Department of History came together to celebrate the retirement of Professor Emerita Nancy Rose Hunt with an evening of student scholarship, reflection, and gratitude
Researchers awarded Gates Foundation grant to build women’s health index

Researchers awarded Gates Foundation grant to build women’s health index

Saturday February 21, 2026

Sarah McKune, Center for African Studies affiliate faculty, has been awarded a Gates Foundation grant to help lead the development of a global women’s health index. The project brings together interdisciplinary expertise to use data science and artificial intelligence to better measure women’s health and well-being.
Sebastian Elischer’s latest publication in Democratization

Sebastian Elischer’s latest publication in Democratization

Wednesday January 21, 2026

CAS congratulates Sebastian Elischer on his recent publication in Democratization. In the article, “Towards Praetorian-Led Electoral Authoritarianism? Examining the Post-Coup Transitions in Francophone Africa,” Elischer analyzes how military-led regimes in Francophone Africa navigate post-coup transitions, offering critical insights into evolving forms of electoral authoritarianism.
The Global Faculty Feature: Dr. John Muchira

The Global Faculty Feature: Dr. John Muchira

Wednesday October 22, 2025

Dr. Muchira recently published two open Access textbooks, Hujambo! A Standards-Based Approach to Introductory Kiswahili, Volume 1 (June 2025) and Hujambo! Volume 2 (July 2025). The textbooks are part of an evidence-based, open-access curriculum that seeks to fill a gap in the literature on Open Educational Resources (OER) for teaching Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs)
Greg Kiker named chair of UF’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department

Greg Kiker named chair of UF’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department

Wednesday September 17, 2025

Greg Kiker, a UF alum and faculty member for over 20 years, has carried out research on southern Africa’s savanna ecosystems as well as a range of other environmental and engineering challenges. A long-time CAS Affiliate and member of the CAS Natural Resource Management Working Group, Kiker was recently named chair of the University of Florida’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department after serving as interim chair.
Happy 20th Anniversary Dr. Renata Serra

Happy 20th Anniversary Dr. Renata Serra

Wednesday September 10, 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Renata Serra, instructional professor at the Center for African Studies, as she celebrates 20 years with the University of Florida! Dr. Serra is an economist with more than 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and consultancy on African development, with a focus on the Sahel region. At the Global Food Systems Institute, she leads the Sub-Saharan Africa Working Group and advances high-level collaborations and research projects.
Furious Joy: Afrofuturism Week 2025

Furious Joy: Afrofuturism Week 2025

Wednesday January 29, 2025

Gainesville is set to transform into a vibrant center of Black creativity and imagination as the University of Florida Center for Arts, Migration and Entrepreneurship, known as CAME, hosts the second annual Afrofuturism Week from Jan. 16-30.
Remembering Rwanda and Looking to the Future

Remembering Rwanda and Looking to the Future

Tuesday October 8, 2024

Thirty years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the Center for African Studies commemorated this terrible landmark event in African history.
Dr. Agnes Leslie received the 2023 UF Superior Accomplishment Award for Community Service

Dr. Agnes Leslie received the 2023 UF Superior Accomplishment Award for Community Service

Wednesday March 22, 2023

Center for African Studies Outreach Director Dr. Agness Leslie has received the 2023 University of Florida Superior Accomplishment Award for Community Service. Dr. Leslie, a Master Lecturer at the CAS, also teaches courses in political science, including “Women and Politics in Africa” and “China and Africa Relations.” As the Outreach Director, Dr. Leslie collaborates with […]
CAS Community Spotlight: Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir and Eric Murianki (Director) 

CAS Community Spotlight: Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir and Eric Murianki (Director) 

Monday March 21, 2022

CAS Community Spotlight Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir and Eric Murianki (Director) Eric Murianki is Director of Pazeni Sauti and a graduate research assistant at the Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship (CAME). Previously, he studied at Kenyatta University, Kenya. He is now completing his PhD in Music Education through the UF School of Music. Pazeni Sauti […]

Faculty Feature: Dr. Brian Child

Monday March 7, 2022

Associate professor in the Department of Geography and the Center for African Studies Dr. Brian Child is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Center for African Studies. His work focuses on wildlife economics and governance related to community-based conservation, park management, and private conservation. He has extensive experience as a researcher and practitioner […]
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