Africa

Our faculty and students work on a wide range of topics related to political behavior and institutional development in Africa. These range from the role of religious organizations in shaping political behavior, the politics of internal and inter-state conflict, peacekeeping, the development of party systems, democratic transitions, the role of international courts in Africa, and economic development in Africa.

Our faculty research throughout the continent, with special focus on Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia.

Political Scientists play a significant role in Northwestern University’s multidisciplinary Program of African Studies, founded in 1948 and associated with the Herskovits Library, the world’s largest separate collection of Africana material. Will Reno is the current Director of this program.

Political Science faculty conducting research and teaching about Africa include: