Call for Papers
Technology, Culture and African Societies
Call for Papers
The 22nd Annual Africa Conference at the University of Texas at Austin calls for submissions of papers in the humanities, social sciences, sciences, and other disciplines on the kaleidoscopic presence of technology and culture in African societies. The objective of this conference is to encourage conversations rooted in the histories of the African people, with the connection of science and technology to imagine alternate realities and a liberated African future.
Culture is dynamic, and globalization has become an epoch for the constant reinvention of culture that transcends time and space. As globalization continues to spread, more people find themselves across spaces and borders, with their lives structured and oriented by connections to one or several other places. Africa’s rich history is multifaceted and complex, with multiple heritage that cut across centuries and regions. The distinctiveness of each culture is peculiar to their authentic traditional practices and identities, ranging from language to literature, music, visual art, and fashion.
In present-day Africa, globalization paves the way for technology, which has aided the growth, adaptation, and transfer of African cultures worldwide. Artificial intelligence and the web are perhaps the most increasingly emerging technologies that are radically shifting normative paradigms in Africa today. The African continent requires new approaches that respond to the sociopolitical and economic needs of African societies. These approaches will define the future for the cultural, political, economic, and social spheres and on the national, regional, and international levels as they re-imagine a new future for Africa where humanity and technology meet.
Accordingly, we invite proposals for papers, panel presentations, roundtables, and artistic works/performances that critically examine these and other related issues on African history, culture, and its intersection with technology. The conference will allow scholars from various disciplines and geographical locations to interact, exchange ideas, and receive feedback. As in previous years, participants will be drawn from around the world. Graduate students are encouraged to attend and present papers. Submitted papers will be assigned to panels based on similarities in theme, topic, discipline, or geographical focus, and selected papers will be published in a series of book volumes.
We welcome submissions that include but are not limited to the following sub-themes and topics:
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Technology and African Historical Discourses
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Technology and African Literature
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Technology and the African Diaspora
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Cultural Dimensions in Africa and Technology
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Technology and Popular Culture
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Technology and GenderConstructions
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Technology and Environmental Security
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Culture, Urbanization, and Digital Urbanism
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Globalization, Technology, and Identity Formation
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Technology and Education
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Technology, Religions and Ritual Performance
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Technology and Performative Arts
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Visual Arts and Digital Culture
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Technology and Cinema
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Technology and African Fashion
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Technology and Health Sciences
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Cultural Practices, Indigenous Medicine, and Technology
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Technology and Linguistics
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Culture, Technology and New Media
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Technology and Postcolonial/ Postmodern Conditions
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Technology and Decoloniality
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Technology, Politics and Cultural Paradigms
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Festivals, Ceremonies and Technology
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Funeral Technology–Old and New
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Digital Economy for Africa’s Initiative
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Technology, Language, and Rhetoric
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Technology and Archival Studies
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Africa Trade and Technology
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Technology, Geography, and Natural resources
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Technology and Archaeology
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Anthropology and Africa’s Digital Revolution
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Social Mobility in the Digital Age
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Security Technology in Africa
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Technology and Peace and Conflict Resolution
Each proposal must include:
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Title of the work and an abstract of 200 words
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Name of the presenter (with the surname underlined)
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Mailing address
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Phone number
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Email
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Institutional affiliation
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Three to five keywords best characterise the themes and topics relevant to your submission.
Participants are expected to follow these guidelines.
Proposals for panels (3-5 presenters) must include:
(1) the title of the panel and a collective summary of 250 words on the panel’s theme, including the title of each individual’s work
(2) a 200-word abstract for each speaker’s presentation
(3) mailing addresses
(4) phone numbers
(5) email addresses
(6) institutional affiliation of each presenter.
Proposals will be accepted on the official conference website (www.utafricaconference.com) and by email: toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu (cc: austinafricaconference2023@gmail.com)
from mid-August to mid-December 2022. Participants who require a visa to enter the United States must submit abstracts and register early, as it may take six months to book visa appointments. A mandatory non-refundable registration fee of $150 for scholars and $100 for graduate students must be paid immediately upon the acceptance of the abstract. This in-person conference fee includes a conference t-shirt and bag, admission to the panels, workshops, special events, and transportation to and from the hotel and conference events. Registration also includes breakfast for all three days, dinner on Friday night, lunch on Saturday, a banquet with DJ and an open bar on Saturday evening, and a closing celebration on Sunday.
All participants must have funds to attend the conference, including the registration fee, transportation, and accommodation. The conference and the University of Texas at Austin do not provide any form of sponsorship or financial support. However, the Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake will have a special rate for conference participants, and transportation between the hotel and the university is included.
*Events are subject to change in accordance with CDC guidelines and global health and safety concerns. We are currently exploring a possible hybrid model for attendees who may not be able to attend physically due to US travel restrictions.
If you have questions, please contact the conference coordinators via the official email. All correspondence, including submission of abstracts, panel proposals, completed papers, and all kinds of inquiries, must go through the official conference email: austinafricaconference2023@gmail.com
Submission of abstract closes January 15, 2023
Conference Registration Payment:
Upon acceptance of abstract, registration is due immediately.
A mandatory non-refundable registration fee of $150 for scholars, $100 for graduate students (with proven identification) or $75 for online participants must be paid immediately upon the acceptance of the abstract. This conference fee includes admission to the panels, workshops, and special events, as well as transportation to and from the conference from the hotel, breakfast for three days, dinner on Friday night, lunch on Saturday, and a banquet on Saturday evening.
You may contact austinafricaconference2023@gmail.com at any time with any questions or to request the discount code for graduate students.
Final Registration Payment Deadline: February 1, 2023
Payments are NOT REFUNDABLE.
We currently offer two ways to submit your registration payment.
1. TXShop page
The easiest and most efficient way to make a payment is through the TXShop page. In order to submit an online payment, you must have a VISA or MasterCard. If you are a graduate student, please contact mggonzalez@austin.utexas.edu for the discount code. You will need to email us a valid university ID.
To register through TXshop, go to the link and check out as a guest/ Quick check out.
2. Checks or Money Orders
Checks or money orders must have your full name as it appears on the abstract. Additionally, please write "2023 Africa Conference" on the method of payment. Money Orders and checks must be made out to "The University of Texas at Austin, History Department" and mailed to:
Martha Gonzalez
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of History
128 Inner Campus Drive,
Stop B7000, GAR 1.118
Austin, Texas 78712
Please email mggonzalez@austin.utexas.edu the details of your payment once you have mailed your check.
Please note that Money Orders often require a transaction fee. You must pay this charge in addition to the registration fee in order to submit the correct payment amount to the University of Texas.
We do not accept PayPal, Venmo, Western Union or Money Gram.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) When are completed papers due for consideration in the the post-conference edited volume?
You can submit at any time, but the due date is April 1, 2023, to allow for exchange of ideas and to start the editorial and selection process. If a full paper is not available, a short summary will be accepted, although this may affect the decision to publish.
(2) To whom do we submit completed papers?
Completed papers should be submitted to the conference coordinator, as an email attachment at fullpaper.africaconference2023@gmail.com Please attach/submit your article in MS Word format.
(3) Is the conference publication peer-reviewed?
Yes, we peer-review all conference publications. They are not conference proceedings.
(4) Is it likely that the chairs will provide feedback?
Yes, and they will be involved in the selection process for publication.
(5) What is the estimated waiting period from the end of the conference to the decision to publish my paper?
Approximately two months. You will be informed by June/July if your paper will be published. The decision will be based on the quality of your paper and the opinions of the two readers. We already have publishers committed to publishing the best papers.
Paper Submission Guidelines
Quick Guide
Paper Submission Guidelines
Full Paper Submission Deadline: April 1, 2023
Preparation and Submission of Papers
This guide is to help you prepare your paper. Following the instructions will help us to maintain consistency and reduce the volume of correspondence.
Please submit your paper via email to fullpaper.africaconference2023@gmail.com All notes, citations, bibliography etc., must be complete and in the appropriate format. Incomplete notes and citations will delay editorial decisions.
Use the Chicago Manual of Style, latest edition (referred to hereafter as CMS) and Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, the latest edition for matters of style, capitalization, spelling, and hyphenation.
The CMS manual can be found at http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org. Some key points are also highlighted in our Style Quick Guide.
Please name your files so that the contents can be determined easily (i.e. Spencer 2023 Conference Paper). If tables, etc., are in separate files, please merge them into the paper. You must have permission from the original photographer/artist/publisher to use any photographs/images in your paper. If you do not have permission to use these images, it will slow down the publication process.
Previous Conferences
Links to Previous Conference
Links to Previous Conferences
The following are links to previous conference websites.
2019 -
2018 –
2017 - Rupturing Colonial Legacies: Colonialisms and Decolonizations in Africa and the African Diaspora
2016 - Creativity, Culture, and Identity in Africa and the African Diaspora
2015 - Development, Urban Space, and Human Rights
2014 - African Diasporas: Old and New
2013 - Political Expression, Social Movements and Religion in Africa
2012 - Poverty and Empowerment in Africa
2011 - Africa in World Politics
2010 - Women, Gender, and Sexualities in Africa
2009 - Science, Technology, and Environment in Africa
2008 - Wars and Conflicts in Africa
2007 - Popular Cultures in Africa
2006 - Movements, Migrations, and Displacements in Africa
2005 - African Health and Illness
2004 - Perspectives on Yoruba History and Culture
2003 - African Urban Spaces: History and Culture
2002 - Nigeria in the Twentieth Century
Conference Supporters
2023 University of Texas Africa Conference Supporters
The Graduate Africanists’ Organization and everyone involved in making the Africa Conference a reality would like to extend our thanks to the organizations and individuals whose generous support has helped to make previous conferences a reality. Sponsors of the 2020 Conference will be listed here.
CONFERENCE TEAM
Organizers:
Olayombo Raji-Oyelade, olayombo.raji@utexas.edu
Victor Angbah, vangbah@utexas.edu
Convener:
Toyin Falola, toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu