ABOUT US
The University of Bayreuth is a hub of international and interdisciplinary research. African Studies have been a priority at the University of Bayreuth since its foundation in 1975.
The Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) brings together African and European academic networks and fosters partnership not only between the University of Bayreuth and its six Partner Universities in Africa, but also among universities in Africa. It provides training opportunities for doctoral researchers that are one of a kind in this field in Germany and are laid down in the Graduate School’s doctoral degree regulations (see also PhD Programme):
multi- and interdisciplinary research with a multi-disciplinary mentorship (called Mentoring Group, comprising one supervisor and two mentors)
clearly structured individual research, training and coaching
specialist academic training with a focus on interdisciplinary and employment-oriented transferable skills
individual career planning and a Gender and Diversity Programme
early integration into the international academic community
shorter time-to-degree with structural and financial encouragements
assistance in academic and organisational matters
BIGSAS offers a Dr. phil and Dr. rer. nat. as well as a double degree, joint supervision and a range of sandwich models. The professors - the Senior Fellows and the Associated Senior Fellows - of the Graduate School work in 18 academic disciplines, among others Anthropology, Geography, History, Law, Linguistics, Literature, Media Studies, Religious Studies, Sociology and Political Science. The three general Research Areas formulate strategic research directions for the Junior Fellows and other members of BIGSAS. At the same time, they represent the research interests and profiles of the Senior Fellows.
BIGSAS BUILDS ON
long-term experience in research on Africa
close cooperation with African colleagues
in-depth experience in doctoral training since 1984
lively academic exchange and international collaboration with partner universities of the Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies, AEGIS
a library with more than 136,000 books on Africa, 33,000 titles of audiovisual material, 200 periodicals, 5,000 maps etc.
an open-minded environment that fosters intercultural understanding between individuals and internationalisation between institutions
Academic Europe, the European career network for Academics, Researchers and Scientists