The African Studies Association (ASA) is excited to continue our AfricaNow! format to accommodate emerging issues on our Annual Meeting program. These sessions will feature current events, new practitioner work, discussion of preliminary research, informal art analysis, non-traditional presentation formats (eg: photo essays, spontaneous poetry, movement exhibition, etc.), memorials, and spark thesis presentations.
Review the brief format details and submit HERE. The submission portal closes Sunday, September 13, 11:59pm eastern. Due to limited space this year, presenters not already participating on the 2026 program will be prioritized. Most AfricaNow! sessions will be scheduled on Sunday, December 6.
Alternative formats, group discussions (maximum of five presenters), individual presentations, and memorials remain part of AfricaNow! and proposals should meet the criteria listed here.
Last year, ASA announced Spark 3-minute thesis presentations as part of the AfricaNow! call. Spark was created with undergraduate and MA students in mind, but is open to all Annual Meeting participants. Presentations are spoken word and can include 1-2 props.
Suggested Topics for 2026 could include (but are not limited to):
- Recent developments in Congo, Senegal, Libya, Uganda, etc.
- Impacts of US Government Funding Cuts
- Academic Freedom
- 2026 World Cup
- Literary & Film Analysis: Women Rent Men and Secrets Here, Behind These Four Walls, Kabelo, etc.
- All 2026 Memorials
Interested in joining a panel session already accepted to the ASA Program? In order to ensure the most inclusive meeting possible with limited space this year, some ASA panel sessions are inviting additional abstract submissions. Learn more here.
