ESN Working Groups

This initiative aims to connect emerging scholars, especially those who may feel isolated in their institutions, with fellow Africanists. In our pilot year, we will begin with three groups based on interest. Possibilities include writing accountability groups, writing feedback groups, reading groups, etc. Each group will have between 8-12 members, including 2 co-organizers and an Executive Council member assigned to provide support and guidance. Pending a successful pilot, we plan to expand this program further.

ESN Working Group Interest Form

Name(Required)

First Last

Institution(Required)

Email(Required)

Time Zone or Geographic Location(Required)

Field of Study – Speciality/Region or country (i.e. History – Women and Nationalism/West Africa or International Relations – Climate Change/Namibia(Required)

Check all that you would be interested in.(Required)

Writing Accountability Group (Meet and write together online weekly or monthly)

Writing Group (Meet monthly to read and offer feedback for 1-2 members each month)

Reading Group (Exams)

Reading Group (New books in African Studies or similar topic)

New Graduate Students (Get peer support as you begin grad school)

Job Search Support Group

If you would like to be a co-convener for a group, please say which type of group. While we do not expect this to be a time intensive position we do ask that people only volunteer if they can commit to 6 to 9 months (depending on group type) in the position. Conveners will be responsible for coordinating meeting times, sending out Zoom links, and running meetings. Please indicate if you have been a part of a working group before.

If you have suggestions for different types of working groups, ideas for how they should be organized, or any other suggestions, please let us know here.