The Summer School held from October 7 to 15 at the Centre français d’études éthiopiennes in Addis Ababa gathered students and scholars for an enriching exchange on African history. We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the Centre for its hospitality and support in making this event possible. Nine selected students from African universities had the unique opportunity to engage with professors and researchers in discussions, sharing critical perspectives, enhancing their understanding, and advancing their research ideas and skills.
The first days of the Summer School featured interactive lectures on topics central to African history and the project Women at work. Pierre Guidi launched the Summer school with a session on oral and social history, followed by Elena Vezzadini, who explored in her lesson different ways to approach colonial sources and deal with subaltern studies. On day two, Anne Hugon and Tirsit Sahledengle led an insightful day-lecture on Gender in History and Social Sciences, discussing the evolving definitions of gender within literature and in history. Day three included a compelling session on Economic and Labor History, presented by Elena Vezzadini and Karin Pallaver, who examined the role of women in African economies and the reliability of colonial censuses.
The fourth day focused on practical skills, with a “mutual aid” workshop led by Domenico Cristofaro. The workshop covered essential topics for PhD students: surviving the doctoral journey, crafting an effective academic presentation, and navigating the publication process. In this session everyone shared tips and insights to improve research outcomes.
Lloyd Melusi Maphosa conducted the final day, providing participants with hands-on training in Quantitative Methodology in History. This interactive session not only enhanced participants’ knowledge but also offered new methodological tools to support their ongoing research projects.
Beyond the lectures, participants had the chance to explore Addis Ababa’s rich culture and history. From relaxing to Ethio jazz at the African Jazz Village and learning about injera-making on the Intoto hills to visiting the Ethnographic Museum, the stunning St. George’s Cathedral, Haile Selassie’s Palace, and the university, everyone experienced the heart of Addis. Local culinary experiences also left a lasting impression, offering a delicious introduction to the best Ethiopian cuisine.
The final two days were dedicated to a mock conference in which each student presented their researches on topics relevant to the project (see the full programme of the conference here). These sessions were more than presentations—they were lively discussions and critiques, enabling all participants to gain fresh insights and refine their research focus.
This intense, fruitful week brought students, researchers, and professors together in a meaningful learning experience, building networks and fostering a commitment to advancing research in African history. We hope that the connections made, and knowledge shared during this Summer School will inspire continued collaboration and research into the history of female professions in Africa.
Thank you to all participants!
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
domenico (October 31, 2024). Highlights from the Addis Ababa Summer School. Women at Work. Retrieved December 11, 2024 from https://doi.org/10.58079/12lpc