The African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA) has opened nominations for the 2027 Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award for Excellence in African Writing, with submissions closing on December 14, 2026.
The biennial award honours an outstanding single-authored academic book focused on Africa and/or the global African world. It was established in 2019 in memory of Professor Pius Adesanmi, the Nigerian-born, Canada-based scholar who died in the same year.
The award is open to books from academic disciplines within the broader field of African Studies. The committee is particularly interested in works that demonstrate theoretical, conceptual, or methodological innovation, alongside a strong contribution to African Studies and excellence in writing.
Eligibility
Submitted works must meet the following criteria:
- Be a single-authored book within the field of African Studies, by a person of African descent, focused on Africa and/or the global African experience. School Guides, textbooks, and edited volumes will not be considered.
- Be published in English or translated into English from French, Portuguese, from any other African language.
- Have a copyright date of no more than four years prior to the year of the award. Only books published between January 2020 to June 2026 will be eligible for the 2027 award.
Submission Criteria
- Submissions of not more than one book may be made by the publishers or authors of nominated books.
- Nominations for the award 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.
- Nominations must be accompanied by one electronic copy and six physical copies of the book for review by each member of the Award Committee. Physical copies of submitted books will not be returned.
- Please submit all electronic copies by email to piusadesanmimemorialprize@as-aa.org. The Prize Committee will share by email details of the mailing addresses for physical books.
- Entries must be received by December 14, 2026, to be eligible for the 2027 award. Nominations should be emailed to piusadesanmimemorialprize@as-aa.org.
The selection criteria include contribution to African Studies, representation, quality of writing, creativity, relevance to African and diaspora experiences, thematic cohesion and writing novelty.
The winner will receive a cash prize, a plaque, and lifetime membership of the ASAA. The recipient will be announced during a special ceremony at the closing banquet of the 7th ASAA Biennial Conference in October 2027.
Nominations for the 2027 Pius Adesanmi Memorial Award opened on September 14, 2026, and will close on December 14, 2026.
Best of luck to all entrants!
