IPSA and AAPS Hold Their First Africa Online Workshop Series

Co-organized by IPSA and the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), with support from the Nippon Foundation, the inaugural Africa Online Workshop Series (AOWS) was held from 1 to 3 September 2026. The 12-hour program brought together 17 early-career scholars and graduate students from institutions based in Africa, with activities organized into two parallel language tracks (English and French). Over the three days, participants engaged in professional development sessions, thematic research discussions, and dedicated manuscript presentation workshops centered on the 2026 theme, The Politics of Sustainable Development and Agrarian Governance.

Under the leadership of Kgothatso Shai (IPSA Vice President) and Serge Granger (Task Force on African Engagement Co-Chair), along with eight expert track co-leaders, participants received intensive peer and expert feedback across core sub-themes such as land governance, climate justice, food sovereignty, and rural transformation. The program included an on-demand video resource on international study opportunities, released on 30 August 2026, tailored mentoring sessions, and access to post-workshop opportunities, including eligibility for four $500 USD research grants, IPSA conference registration waivers, and formal certificates of completion. Overall, the inaugural cycle successfully established a vital bilingual platform for capacity building, methodology refinement, and cross-continental research networking for African young scholars.