Distinguished Africanist Award
The African Studies Association offers a Distinguished Africanist Award in recognition of lifetime distinguished contributions to African studies. The Award is presented at the Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony, and consists of a plaque and a lifetime membership in the African Studies Association.
Eligibility
Any member of the Association is eligible to nominate a candidate. The nomination must include a vitae of the nominee, a detailed letter of nomination outlining how the nominee meets the criteria for the Award, and three similar letters from ASA members seconding the nomination. At least two of the latter must be affiliated with institutions other than that of the nominee. All nomination materials must be provided in English. The complete dossier of the candidate must be submitted on letterhead as a PDF emailed to secretariat@africanstudies.org. Criteria for the Award are the distinction of contribution to Africanist scholarship, as measured by a lifetime of accomplishment and service in the field of African studies. Contributions to scholarship within and without the academic community are considered.
The Distinguished Africanist Award Committee is composed of the Past President, the President, the Vice President, and two ASA members designated by the Executive Committee of the ASA Board of Directors. The non-Board members of the committee serve three-year terms. The recommendation of the Committee is presented to the Board of Directors at its Spring Meeting, and the final choice is made by the Board.
Dossiers of candidates not selected for the award are kept by the ASA Secretariat and circulated for five consecutive years to the committee. The Distinguished Africanist Award Committee has the option of keeping candidate files open indefinitely.
The ASA Distinguished Africanist Award was established in the 1980’s to recognize and honor scholars who have contributed a lifetime record of outstanding scholarship in their respective field of African studies and service to the Africanist community.
Past President:
Professor Ato Quayson (Stanford University), Chair
President:
Professor Carolyn Brown (Rutgers University)
Vice President:
Professor Ousseina Alidou (Rutgers University)
Members:
Professor Michelle Moyd (Indiana University)
Professor Wale Adebanwi (Oxford University)
Distinguished Africanist Award Winners
2020: Frederick Cooper
2019: Pearl T. Robinson
2018: E. Gyimah-Boadi
2017: Iris Berger
2016: Sara Berry
2015: Goran Hyden
2014: Boubakar Barry
2013: Allen Isaacman
2012: Jane Guyer
2011: Toyin Falola
2010: Terence Ranger
2009: David Robinson
2008: Edmond J. Keller
2007: John Middleton
2006: Bogumil Jewsiewicki
2005: John Hunwick
2004: Francis M. Deng
2003: Joseph E. Harris
2002: Peter Geschiere
2001: Bethwell Ogot
2001: Martin Klein
2000: J.H. Kwabena Nketia
2000: Bernth Lindfors
1999: Catherine Coquery-Vidrovitch
1998: Ivor G. Wilks
1997: Akin Mabogunje
1996: Thandika Mkandawire
1995: Ali A. Mazrui
1993: J. Ade Ajayi
1992: Philip D. Curtin
1991: Howard Wolpe
1990: Crawford Young
1989: Roland Oliver
1988: Elizabeth Colson
1987: Joseph Greenberg
1986: Jan Vansina
1985: Elliott Skinner
1984: Gwendolen M. Carter