Institute of African Studies

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Explore Columbia's courses on Africa and the IAS-administered GSAS Graduate Certificate in African Studies and the SIPA Regional Specialization in Africa.

Academics

Through a blend of academic programs, co-curricular activities, and global partnerships, the IAS strives to ignite lively, interdisciplinary conversations and exchanges.

Events

Explore the wide and deep expertise of IAS's affiliated faculty, whose multidisciplinary research covers many of the central issues and questions surrounding Africa.

Affiliated Faculty

Get involved with the Institute of African Studies and Africa-related programming on Columbia's campus.

Get Involved

Welcome to the Institute of African Studies

Founded in 1959, the Institute of African Studies (IAS) at Columbia University stands as one of the few autonomous institutes in the United States dedicated solely to the study of Africa. For over six decades, IAS has served as a vital hub for the exploration and understanding of the continent's complexities and its global connections.

IAS is a dynamic intellectual space that fosters interdisciplinary thinking on the historical and contemporary issues facing Africa. It embraces the continent’s oceanic connections and highlights its profound philosophical, religious, humanistic, and artistic traditions.

The Institute is committed to enriching both public and academic discourse on Africa's intellectual, cultural, and artistic wealth. Through a combination of rigorous academic programs, engaging co-curricular activities, and global partnerships, IAS inspires vibrant, interdisciplinary conversations and meaningful exchanges.

The IAS serves as Columbia University's central hub for Africa-focused academic programming and research. Through collaborations with departments and groups across campus, IAS fosters learning, dialogue, and meaningful exchanges about the continent.