With our strategic partners, we share knowledge, networks and resources in order to meet our respective organisational aims. These are typically long-term engagements with a clear set of shared aims and objectives and related collaborative activities.

 

Current strategic partners 

We currently hold strategic partnerships with SOAS – University of London and the British Council.

 

 

 

SOAS – University of London

 

The Royal African Society is hosted by SOAS – University of London, the only Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. Since the 1990s, we have worked with SOAS to enhance research and public understanding of Africa. Our members also enjoy access to the School’s library, which houses one of the most extensive collections in the world for the study of Africa. 

 

Through our close association with SOAS, we regularly host public events at the university’s premises, as well as drawing on the academics’ expertise who take part in our year-round events programme. We also work closely with several of the university’s centres, including the Centre of African Studies, University of London, and the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy. 

 

 

 

British Council

 

As organisations with a reciprocal mission of promoting knowledge and understanding between people in the UK, Africa and the wider world, the Royal African Society has held a strategic partnership with the British Council since 2017. This partnership is centred on our public events and festivals and helps us to connect leading African creatives and experts with diverse audiences and creatives in the UK, raising the profile of contemporary African arts in the UK. 

 

As part of our strategic partnership, we recently produced a report entitled Contemporary African Arts: Mapping Perceptions, Insights and UK-Africa Collaborations (Download Report) presenting original research on present-day public perceptions and audience engagement with contemporary African arts and culture and exploring the untapped opportunity to expand and improve the existing offer for the UK’s increasingly diverse audiences. 

 

To discuss strategic partnership opportunities, please contact the Director, Nick Westcott, or Deputy Director, Desta Haile.