A commentary by Robtel Neajai Pailey on the ethics of researching and writing about Africa, Where is the ‘African’ in African Studies?, has been nominated for African Arguments 2016 Prize. One of five shortlisted articles, Robtel's piece emphasises the need to put the ‘African’ in African Studies, not as a token gesture, but as an affirmation that Africans have always produced knowledge about their continent.
Building on a keynote lecture delivered at the African Studies Centre Leiden earlier this year, Robtel's piece takes a long view, showing that while Africans have always produced knowledge about Africa, in some cases their contributions have been 'preferably unheard' and 'deliberately silenced' in others.
Voting is open until 27th December and includes entry into a prize draw to win any three books on the African Arguments book series.