College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts and Sciences

Siri Lamoureaux, an anthropologist and assistant professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Siegen in Germany, will speak at this event, organized by the Digital Africa Working Group at the Center for African Studies.

The Digital Africa Working Group aims to facilitate discussions of a critical and informed character on a broad range of issues related to what we call “Digital Africa.” While the reference to the “digital” implies a particular focus on social media and the emergence of new digital technologies and innovations – including Artificial Intelligence – in the African context, our use of the term “digital” implies a broader thematic and geographical attention. In addition to recognizing and exploring the role that numbers, data and indicators play in the many processes that various actors engage in to create new possible and virtual futures in Africa, we intend to move beyond a digital in Africa perspective. More specifically, we will focus on the networks and mobilities of people, things, ideas, and viruses (digital and biological) that move out of and to Africa – and which often are fueled and facilitated by digital innovations and social media. We welcome faculty and students (both undergraduate and graduate) interested in exploring Africa’s role in a new digital age.