ASAA opens nominations for Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award 2027
By Editor
THE African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA) has opened the call for the 2027 Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award for Excellence in African Writing. The prize was set up in 2019 after the death of Nigerian-born, Canada-based scholar, Professor Pius Adesanmi. ASAA described his passing as a monumental loss to the global African Studies community. The award is given every two years for an outstanding single-authored academic book on Africa and/or the global African world, within the wider field of African Studies.
Nominations may be sent by or on behalf of a scholar, activist and/or artist. The committee will consider books from all academic disciplines in African Studies, published in English, French, Portuguese or an African language. It is especially interested in work that is theoretically, conceptually and/or methodologically innovative, shows excellence in African writing, and adds something clear to the field.
The winner will receive a cash prize, a plaque and lifetime membership of the ASAA. The association funds the prize.
The book must be single-authored, written by a person of African descent, sit within African Studies, and focus on Africa and/or the global African experience. School guides, textbooks and edited volumes will not be considered. It must be published in English, or translated into English from French, Portuguese or any other African language. The copyright date must fall no more than four years before the award year. For 2027, only books published between January 2020 and June 2026 are eligible.
Entries opened on 14 September 2026 and close on 14 December 2026. Nominations should be emailed to piusadesanmimemorialprize@as-aa.org. Publishers or authors may submit only one book. Each nomination must include a short description of the book, its theoretical, conceptual and/or methodological significance, and what makes it an example of excellence in African writing.
One electronic copy and six physical copies of the book must go with the nomination. Physical copies will not be returned. Send the electronic copy to the same address. The prize committee will later share the mailing addresses for the printed copies.
The committee will judge books on their contribution to African Studies; representation, including region, gender, minority race, disability and religion, quality of writing, including style, language and clarity, creativity, relevance to the African and diaspora experience, thematic cohesion and novelty of the writing.
The winner will be announced at a special ceremony during the closing banquet of the 7th ASAA Biennial Conference in October 2027. The result will later be posted on the ASAA website.
Enquiries should be sent to piusadesanmimemorialprize@as-aa.org.
