Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa


The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa is Pan-African research organisation headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. The recently outgone President is Isabel Casimiro while Godwin Murunga is the current Executive Secretary.
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Background

CODESRIA was established in 1973. Its aim is to promote, facilitate and disseminate research throughout Africa and also to create a community in which members can work without barriers regarding language, country, age or gender. While CODESRIA is an active research organization it does not abstain from serving as a platform for political statements. Unlike many other organizations it does not agree with the traditional division of Africa in the social sciences where North Africa is often more or less left out, instead, it tries to equally represent the 5 regions in Africa.
To achieve their mission, CODESRIA cooperates with African institutes and non-African institutes and organizations. Funding is obtained through various donors ranging from the Dutch and Danish Foreign Ministries, the Senegalese Government, the Ford Foundation to the United Nations. In 1997 the organisation received one of the Prince Claus Awards.
CODESRIA has three governing organs, the General Assembly being the highest, followed by the Executive Committee and the Scientific Committee, each with their own specific roles.

Contributions to Social Sciences

CODESRIA grants scholarships. These grants comprise all levels from MA to post-doctoral research, organizes conferences and programs focusing on issues related to the social sciences and humanities, publishes in various forms and helps in setting up research training. Within the CODESRIA environment different strains of thought can be discerned, namely an older, more Marxist oriented group and a younger, neo-liberal group. A third group is characterized by people active in women studies and civil movements. Most of the programs offered to people are however dominated by men with the exception of the gender institute.
The CODESRIA College of Mentors, a Pan-African initiative aimed at strengthening research capacity in African universities, has featured mentors such as Abdul Karim Bangura, Mshai Mwangola, Josephine Ahikire, Amy Niang, and Laban Ayiro.

Leadership

Since its establishment, CODESRIA has been led by Presidents and Executive Secretaries drawn from across Africa’s social science community.
No.PresidentTerm of office
1Jacques Kazadi Nduba Wa Dile1973–1976
2Kankam Twum-Barima1976–1979
3Justinian F. Rweyemamu1979–1981
4Jacob Mumbi Mwanza1982–1985
5Claude Ake1986–1989
6Taladidia Thiombiano1989–1992
7Ernest Wamba-Dia-Wamba1992–1995
8Akilagpa Sawyerr1995–1998
9Mahmood Mamdani1998–2002
10Zenebeworke Tadesse2003–2005
11Teresa Cruz e Silva2005–2008
12Sam Moyo2008–2011
13Fatima Harrak2011–2015
14Dzodzi Tsikata2015–2018
15Isabel Maria Casimiro2018–2023

No.Executive SecretaryTerm of office
1Samir Amin1973–1975
2Abdalla Bujra1975–1985
3Thandika Mkandawire1985–1996
4Achille Mbembe1996–2000
5Adebayo Olukoshi2001–2009
6Ebrima Sall2009–2017
7Godwin Murunga2017–present

Publications

No.Online PublicationsNotes
1Africa Development
2African Sociological ReviewA bi-annual, peer-reviewed sociology journal published by CODESRIA, welcoming scholarly articles in English and French
3Afrika Zamani
4Identity, Culture and Politics : an Afro-Asian Dialogue
5Monographs on lineA research monograph series published by CODESRIA to disseminate original social science research and stimulate scholarly debate.