Department of African Studies and Anthropology

Founded in the 1960s as the Centre of West African Studies (CWAS), the department has evolved over the decades to become a leading anthropological research and teaching centre shaped by its interdisciplinary and Africanist roots.

The Department of African Studies and Anthropology now comprises anthropologists and historians, Africanists and non-Africanists, who foster a friendly and supportive community through a shared attentiveness to learning from local expertise and cognate disciplines. Our research interests include oral histories, gender relations, economic life, migration, religion, activism, urban livelihoods and popular culture.

With over 60 years’ experience in supporting students from all over the world, including Africa, we value our diverse student body. We offer a variety of degrees in social anthropology and African studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Our doctoral students join us from all over the world to produce pioneering new research in a broad range of regional, disciplinary and thematic areas.

If you are looking for consultations on cultural, social, political or legal matters, please contact us.

DASA office
Department of African Studies and Anthropology
Arts Building
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT

Telephone +44(0)121 414 5128
Email dasaadmin@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Office opening hours

Monday-Friday 9:30 - 16:00
Wednesday 9:30 - 14:00

Prospective undergraduate enquiries

Enquiries managed by the Undergraduate Marketing and Student Recruitment team. Messages will be passed on to the relevant Admissions Tutors where appropriate.

• Undergraduate enquiry form

Prospective postgraduate enquiries

Enquiries managed by the Postgraduate Marketing and Student Recruitment team. Messages will be passed on to the relevant Admissions Tutors where appropriate.

• Postgraduate enquiry form