Cluster focus

The African Diaspora and the Atlantic World Research Circle explores the dispersion of African peoples from their original homelands, not only within the continent of Africa, but also worldwide — to places such as the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and South America. In the past, African Diaspora research emphasized mainly the study of Africans who dispersed from the continent, and very rarely looked at dispersal within the continent. This cluster bridges these two categories to provide a global context to the study of African peoples. It looks at different historical waves of dispersals and studies their catalytic factors and directions of movement. It explores how the connections between the African and African diasporic communities reflect the dynamics of their forced or voluntary migration; their interactions and relations with other societies and/or among each other; and the adaptation, reproduction and transformation of African cultural, social institutions and expressive forms. This interdisciplinary approach to studying the global African world is a logical extension of UW-Madison’s strong African-American Studies Department and African Studies Program, as well as a host of other international and cultural study programs. The cluster’s wide-ranging areas of study include geography, history, literature, medicine, art, music, dance, education, political science and sociology. This cluster was originally funded as the African Diaspora Cluster.

Cluster accomplishments

  • The cluster advances knowledge about the African Diaspora through the teaching of such new interdisciplinary courses as “African Diaspora Peoples and History,” “Population Migration and Diffusion,” “Women of the African Diaspora,” “African Diaspora Cultural Studies,” “African Diaspora: Theory and Practice” and “Contemporary African and Caribbean Drama.”
  • The cluster hosts monthly workshop series where faculty, students and community members with an interest in African and African diaspora matters read and discuss both canonical and cutting-edge research, listen to speakers, and watch and discuss influential films and plays. The Africa in the African Diaspora: New Insights into the Diffusion of African Identity and Cultural Forms workshops received funding for two years from the UW Center for Humanities.
  • The cluster also co-sponsors several community outreach events and major speakers on campus in partnership with departments and units.
  • In March 2006, the cluster will host a major international conference, African Diaspora Studies and the Disciplines, to explore how the interdisciplinary scholarship and research elements of the field can blossom in the contexts of generally rigid departmental structures of universities, and to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogues and debates on African Diaspora studies. The conference is funded by UW International Institute and others.
  • The cluster has built strong partnerships with universities in Nigeria, and is communicating with possible partners in South Africa, Jamaica and Brazil.
  • The cluster has also worked closely with the Cultural Studies in the Global Context and Visual Culture clusters to co-sponsor campus and outreach events that appeal to the audiences of both groups.

Cluster structure

The African Diaspora and Atlantic Research Circle cluster has evolved into a place where scholars from different locations can exchange their views on African studies and create international linkages across the globe. The cluster faculty serve as the core of a larger Advisory Board, and work together with affiliated faculty from more than 15 departments and programs (i.e., History, Geography, English, African Studies, African-American Studies, and Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies). Cluster faculty also meet once or twice a month to assess cluster progress and programs, and plan future courses, conferences and outreach activities.

Cluster coordinator, faculty and lead dean

Cluster Coordinator

Cluster Faculty

Lead Dean