TOAfrica is an interdisciplinary social sciences training and outreach programme on contemporary Africa based at the University of Turin, Italy.
It combines academic teaching with public engagement, offering a range of activities including an annual Summer School in English, thematic Seminars throughout the year, and public Talks.
The Summer School, held each year in Turin, is taught in English and organized around a different theme each year. It brings together international scholars and practitioners for an intensive week of lectures and discussions, addressing key socio-political, cultural, and economic dynamics shaping the African continent and its diasporas. It is designed for university students, early-career researchers, professionals in the field of international cooperation, and anyone interested in gaining a more informed and nuanced understanding of Africa.
The program is organized by the Department of Cultures, Politics and Society of the University of Turin (UniTo). It is developed in collaboration with a network of international partners, including Makerere University (Uganda), Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), Carleton University (Canada), Nordic Africa Institute (Sweden), Laboratoire Les Afriques dans le Monde (France), Consorzio ONG Piemontesi (Italy), and ERC CoG REDMIX - Unpacking Mixedness for an Inclusive History of the Red Sea, 1800s-2000s (Italy). This collaborative dimension enriches the program by fostering intellectual exchange across different academic traditions and geographical contexts.
TOAfrica benefits from the Erasmus+ Partner Countries programme and is supported by the Fondazione CRT, whose contribution has played an important role in the programme's development and growth.
The TOAfrica Summer School is an interdisciplinary programme designed for students, early-career researchers, and professionals interested in contemporary Africa. Held every year at the University of Turin, it offers an intensive week of lectures, discussions, and exchanges with international scholars and practitioners. Each edition focuses on a different theme, exploring key social, cultural, political, and economic dynamics of the African continent and its diasporas.
The TOAfrica programme includes Seminars, Forums, and educational activities designed for students, professionals, and the wider public interested in contemporary Africa. Held throughout the year in Turin, Italy, these initiatives bring together scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders to foster dialogue and knowledge sharing.
The programme also includes participatory and community-oriented activities, such as public Talks, music events, and World Cafés, creating informal spaces for dialogue and exchange. These initiatives encourage participants to engage with key issues affecting Africa and its diasporas while fostering networking and connections among researchers, practitioners, students, and the wider community.
