CAS LT Seminar Series 2026 - 'Mobilizing Africa: Neo Pan-Africanism and the Politics of Online Resistance' - Dr Bamba Ndiaye, Emory University

Over the last two decades, Pan-Africanism has experienced a resurgence, driven by youth-led, tech-savvy social movements that challenge traditional power structures through both institutional and grassroots channels. By forming powerful transnational networks like Afrikki, these activists coordinate mass action to safeguard democratic integrity and good governance. Conversely, many African governments have adopted repressive countermeasures, including internet shutdowns, cybersurveillance, and legal intimidation. This presentation explores how activists leverage digital technology to confront the establishment and how they navigate state-sponsored "digital tyranny." Specifically, it examines the rise of youth movements in Francophone Africa, the complexities of modern social movement governance, and the increasing frequency of state-led digital crackdowns.

 

Bamba Ndiaye is an Assistant Professor of African Studies and Core Faculty at Emory University’s Institute of African Studies. A former Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University’s Society for the Humanities, his scholarship explores the dynamic intersections of African and diasporic social movements, democracy, popular culture, mobility, and PanAfricanism. His work has appeared in leading interdisciplinary journals such as African Studies Review, Africa Today, and Global Africa, reflecting both depth and breadth in his academic contributions. Dr. Ndiaye’s expertise is widely recognized beyond academia. His insights have been featured by major international media outlets including BBC Africa, ABC Australia, and NPR, underscoring his role as a public intellectual bridging scholarly discourse and global conversations. He is currently completing a book manuscript titled Black Social Movements in the Digital Era, which examines the evolving landscape of activism and identity in the age of connectivity. In addition to his written scholarship, Dr. Ndiaye is the creator and host of The Africanist Podcast, a widely respected platform for critical dialogue on African and diasporic issues and scholarship. In 2023, Dr. Ndiaye founded the Dakar Publishing Academy (DPAc), an initiative designed to share research methods, publishing, and grant-writing skills with Africa-based graduate students and junior scholars. His work has earned him numerous honors and grants, including the prestigious CAORC-NEH Research Fellowship, the Allen Grant (Oxford College of Emory), affirming his impact as a thought leader in African Studies. 

 

Please note that exceptionally, the CAS seminar series will take place on Tuesdays from 16:30 to 18:00 throughout Lent Term 2026.

All are welcome to attend. An informal drinks reception will be held after the talk