Black Faculty and Students Meet and Greet
Welcome to the Institute of African Studies
Land Acknowledgement
Carleton University acknowledges the location of its campus on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg nation. In doing so, Carleton acknowledges it has a responsibility to the Algonquin people and a responsibility to adhere to Algonquin cultural protocols.
The Institute of African Studies builds on Carleton’s long history of expertise on Africa amongst its faculty and graduate students by pulling together the growing number of faculty members and experts in the Ottawa-Gatineau region to provide fresh insight into current and historical dynamics of Africa – from the slave trade that reshaped the continent and the Atlantic world to the richly textured and innovative religious practices and livelihood strategies, from conflicts, refugees, and peace-building efforts to the production and reception of world-renowned and locally-consumed literatures, music and film.
The Institute of African Studies offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
At the undergraduate level, the Institute offers a Combined Honours and a three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) program in African Studies, as well as an Honours and a three-year program in Africa and Globalization within the Bachelor of Global and International Studies (BGInS). It also offers a Minor in African Studies, available to students across all undergraduate programs.
At the graduate level, the Institute offers collaborative Master’s and PhD programs in African Studies.
Beyond its academic programs, the Institute organizes public events and activities that foster engagement with Africa and its diaspora. It also promotes, showcases, and connects the diverse research initiatives undertaken by its faculty and students, contributing to a deeper understanding of the continent and its global connections.
The Institute of African Studies is part of both Carleton’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Public Affairs. FASS and FPA are distinct groups of academic units that deal directly with matters of importance to government and civil society; while tackling the most complex social, cultural and political issues of our time.
Upcoming Events
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Nov 14
Second Ottawa/Uganda NGO Forum: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions for Canadian NGOs in Uganda.
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9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre Parking: Precise ParkLink , Ottawa , ON
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Multi Day
Africa and the Path for Renewal
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June 22 to 25
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, Calgary , AB
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Important Links
Registration Dates
2026-2027 Dates and Deadlines
2026-2027 Courses
View courses for 2026-2027!
Undergraduate Studies
Explore our diverse undergraduate programs in African Studies.
Why African Studies @ Carleton?
Unique faculty & location. Unique network and much more.
News
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Carleton Advances Research Collaborations in Africa
Carleton University’s efforts to strengthen overall engagement with Africa took a significant step toward identifying priorities and opportunities for collaboration when a delegation from Carleton…
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Ghanaian Paramount Chief and University Chancellor, Neenyi Ghartey VII, Visits Carleton’s Institute of African Studies.
Ghanaian Paramount Chief of the Effutu traditional area and Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Neenyi Ghartey VII, visited Carleton University’s Institute of African…
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From Kakuma to Shaping Refugee Policy
Every room that I go into, I move as an expert. I might not have the academic credentials, but I do have the lived experience.…
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New Book! The Elgar Companion to Democracy and Development in Africa
Edited by Yiagadeesen Samy, Professor of International Affairs, The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Assistant Professor, Institute of African Studies,…
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New Book! Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development in Africa
Authors : Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Inocent Moyo, Zainab Monisola Olaitan and Jabuline H Mzimela Critiques the Eurocentric framing of entrepreneurship in Africa and advocates for…
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A Welcome Message from Dr. Anne Bowker
Welcome to a new academic year! Just a few days into the fall term, I’m already heartened by the constant bustle on campus and the…
