Community Group Description

As a newly established APPAM Community, the Africa Policy Group's primary goal is to strengthen professional connections among scholars and practitioners interested in Africa-related policy research and practice. To begin pursuing this goal, our proposed networking gathering at the 2026 Fall Conference will provide an opportunity to build relationships, foster collaboration, and raise awareness of the APG within APPAM.
This networking event will be open to both current and prospective APG members. APG currently has 42 members, who will not only be invited but also encouraged to invite their colleagues and collaborators who may be interested in joining the group, helping us broaden our network.
We anticipate that the event will last approximately one hour and will have three components. First, attendees will participate in an informal networking session to meet one another and find professional commonalities. Second, we will facilitate a structured speed-networking activity designed to encourage further interactions and potential collaborations among attendees from different institutions and sectors. Finally, two volunteer speakers from both academic and non-academic policy settings will briefly share their professional journeys. They will address three questions, which will be later discussed during Q&A: 1) What are the most exciting aspects of conducting Africa-related policy research and practice? 2) What are some research and publication challenges in this area? 3) What career guidance is available to those interested in this area?
Overall, the event aims to build our community while advancing APG's mission to foster an engaged network of Africa-focused policy scholars and practitioners.

Africa Policy Group Community

Session Submission Type: APPAM Communities

Policy Area

• APPAM Communities

Organizers

• Ene Ikpebe, Florida State University

• Kazeem Ajasa Badaru, Clemson University