African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC)
Joint project of James S. Coleman African Studies Center and Global Public Affairs at Luskin

Wednesdays, 10:30-12 Pacific Time

(note that this is 8 hours earlier than UK time, except for the November 1 lecture, which will have
a 7- hour time difference, due to the fact that the UK and Europe change from summer hours a week 
before the United States).

Background:

The African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) is a major six-year investment by the 
Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UK government) to fund new, operationally-relevant 
research to address intractable development challenges in African cities. Despite some efforts to 
adopt multi-sectoral approaches in African cities, too many programs remain siloed – failing to 
deal with the complexity of urban development problems, or the possible unintended consequences of 
such interventions.

The ACRC approach is more holistic. The ACRC has sought to integrate systems thinking with rigorous 
political analysis to provide new insights designed to support urban reform efforts. The aim is to 
co- produce knowledge and then turn the research into meaningful action that tackles development 
challenges. All cities are complex, dynamic, political systems. But with a fast-growing population, 
inadequate infrastructure and services, weak governance and limited economic development, many 
African cities face critical challenges.

This colloquium will provide an opportunity to meet (virtually) with a number of the African 
researchers who have carried out city-based studies of the past two years.

Connection: Join Zoom Meeting 
https://ucla.zoom.us/j/92902609684?pwd=RTF0NlFPWDNYUVZMMzcxb0cwUS8wZz09 Meeting ID: 929 0260 9684 
Passcode: 440870

Current Program

November 15: Beyond Boko Haram’s Bombs and Bullets: The Activism, Dreams, and Aspirations of
Maiduguri’s Youth
Imrana Buba, Youth Coalition Against Terrorism

November 22: tbd

November 29: Structural Transformation in African Cities                                                                                            Michael Danquah, United Nations University-WIDER                                                                                                   

December 6: The Politics of Development in Ghana’s Capital City
Abdulai Abdul-Gafaru, Department of Public Administration, University of Ghana Business School

Sponsor(s): African Studies Center, Global Public Affairs at Luskin