About CEA
CEA is a university-based multidisciplinary research center of the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) that promotes investigation, documentation and information on Africa. It includes the nonprofit organization with the same name, and the research and development unit of CEA-IUL and aims at: promoting interdisciplinary research in social sciences focusing on the African continent; supporting postgraduate education in this area; enhancing activities related to Africa, mainly through the dissemination of research and knowledge at conferences, seminars and publications; consulting projects in its area of specialization.
With more than 30 PhD researchers, CEA is a leading center in its area or interest, having successfully led dozens of funded research projects with international teams. It is a member of several international networks and is part of the AEGIS (Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies) board.
CEA aims to support and disseminate research through regular seminars and conferences. It also led the creation of the Central Library of African Studies, funded by FCT, and complemented by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, located and supported by the Library of ISCTE-IUL. Regularly publishes the Occasional Paper Series, the scientific journal Cadernos de Estudos Africanos and the Africa em Perspectiva monographic collection.
CEA promotes the formation and development of scientific careers, with the support of a program of multi-annual funding used to support events, participation in international meetings, research and publications. Researchers are involved in projects and thematic lines, and the center puts forward specific programs to support every researcher, including fellows of the master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral studies, and undergraduate students in specific programs.
In May 2010 the unit of research and development, consisting of the eligible researchers of CEA, joined the ISCTE-IUL under the designation of CEA-IUL, with the status of an Organic Decentralized Unit, integrating the School of Sociology and Public Policy and being linked to postgraduate teaching in the departments of Political Science and Public Policy, Economics and Anthropology.
Assessment 2003-2007
CEA is recognized as a Unit of Research and Development by the Foundation for Science and Technology and obtained a Very Good rating in the international evaluation of R & D Units in 2007. The international jury was composed of Professors Danielle de Lame, Africa Research Group – Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Belgium, Sarah L. Bracking, Institute for Development Policy and Management – University of Manchester, United Kingdom and Stefaan Marysse, Panel Coordinator, from the Institute of Development Policy and Management – University of Antwerp, Belgium. Result of the 2007 evaluation.
External Scientific Advisory Permanent Commission (CEPAD)
Armando Trigo de Abreu
Ebrima Sall, CODESRIA
Manuel Correia, UTL
Victor Angelo, DUNIAMUNDO
History
The Center for African Studies Association was founded in 1990, embodying the university group with the same name created at ISCTE in 1981 with the aim of promoting interdisciplinary studies in social sciences on Africa (Modern African Studies). In 1989 it launched the first postgraduate degree in African Studies, coordinated by the CEA, which leads to the Master in African Studies in 1992. Initially the main activity of CEA was related to postgraduate education. With the creation of African Area Studies at ISCTE, responsible for teaching, CEA began to devote itself to research and project coordination in its area of intervention, organization of international conferences and the dissemination of research. In 2001 it launched the first issue of Cadernos de Estudos Africanos, in 2005 the Occasional Papers Series and in 2010 the scientific collection Africa em Perspectiva. The activity of the CEA has been evaluated by an international jury since 2003, being recognized as a Unit of Research and Development Foundation for Science and Technology. In May 2010 the unit of research and development, consisting of all eligible doctorates of CEA, joined ISCTE-IUL being named CEA-IUL.
Chairs of the Board of CEA
Mario Murteira (1990-1995)
Armando Trigo de Abreu (1995-1996)
Franz-Wilhelm Heimer (1996-2003)
José Fialho Feliciano (2003-2007)
Clara Carvalho (2007-)
Management and Scientific Bodies of CEA-IUL
Director
Clara Carvalho
Deputy Directors
Manuel João Ramos
Cristina Udelsmann Rodrigues
Scientific Committee
Clara Carvalho
Rogério Roque Amaro
Ulrich Schiefer
Ana Bénard da Costa
Scientific Council
Comprises all researchers of CEA-IUL
