MAAAS 2026 Conference

Mid-America Alliance for African Studies (MAAAS) Conference 2026

Global Africa: Philosophy, Technology & Society

October 9–10, 2026
Missouri State University
Plaster Student Union
Springfield, Missouri

The Mid-America Alliance for African Studies (MAAAS), in collaboration with the Kansas African Studies Center at the University of Kansas, will hold its 2026 conference at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

This year’s theme, Global Africa: Philosophy, Technology & Society, invites scholars to reflect on Africa’s role in an era of global transformation.

In the face of shifting geopolitical alignments and technological acceleration, what is Africa’s present and future place in the world? Through engagement with African philosophical traditions and technological developments within national and ethnonational contexts, this conference examines how African societies continue to shape their wellbeing, development, and global influence.

We welcome scholars from all disciplines engaged in Africana and African Studies to participate in this important conversation.

Registration Info
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MAAAS 2026 PROGRAM
MAAAS 2026 Pictures

Call for Proposals

MAAAS Conference 2026

Theme: Global Africa: Philosophy, Technology & Society

The Mid-America Alliance for African Studies invites scholars to submit proposals for the 2026 conference.

While submissions on any topic related to African and Africana Studies are welcome, we especially encourage papers and panels that engage the conference theme.

Submission Guidelines

  • Submit a 250-word abstract (individual paper) or panel description
  • Include your name, institutional affiliation, and contact information
  • Email submissions to: MAAASpp@gmail.com
  • Deadline for submission: July 15, 2026

Registration is required to present at the conference.

For additional information, please contact:
Anatole Balma, MAAAS President (2025–2026)
Banatole24@gmail.com

Registration – MAAAS Conference 2026

All participants must complete the Registration Form.

If you cannot access the Registration Form on this site, please contact MAAAS directly at MAAASPP@gmail.com and request a Registration Form.

Conference Registration Fees

Early Registration (by August 25, 2026):

  • $40 – Faculty
  • $15 – Students & Independent Scholars

Late Registration (after August 25, 2026):

  • $60 – Faculty
  • $25 – Students & Independent Scholars

Membership Fees (Optional)

  • $20 – Faculty
  • $15 – Students & Independent Scholars

Faculty Presenters pay both the conference registration and membership fee.
Faculty Participants pay the conference registration; membership is optional.

Graduate Student and Independent Scholar Presenters pay the conference registration; membership is optional. MAAAS encourages all participants to become members.

Fee Waiver

Registration fees are waived for Virtual Presenters and Participants from African institutions. Membership remains optional.

How to Register

  1. Complete the Registration Form.
  2. Email the completed form to: MAAASpp@gmail.com
  3. Visit the Registration Tab on this website.
  4. Select the appropriate payment amount using the dropdown menu.
  5. Submit payment via PayPal or Venmo.

If you are a virtual presenter from an African institution, you are not required to pay the registration fee.

For registration questions, please contact:
Jamaine Abidogun, MAAAS Secretary-Treasurer
MAAASpp@gmail.com

Conference Meals

Registration includes:

  • Lunch – October 9
  • Lunch – October 10
  • Dinner – October 9 (6:30–9:00 PM)
    Grace Kitchen
    431 S Jefferson Ave
    Springfield, MO

Ken Lohrentz Graduate Paper Award

MAAAS Conference 2026

The Mid-America Alliance for African Studies invites graduate students in any field of African Studies to submit a paper for the Ken Lohrentz Graduate Paper Award.

Submission Guidelines

  • Papers must engage the 2026 conference theme:
    Global Africa: Philosophy, Technology & Society
  • Maximum length: 30 pages
  • Double-spaced
  • Minimum 12-point font
  • Include full name, contact information, and graduate program on the title page
  • Faculty sponsor signature required on the title page (with institution and date)
  • Presentation of the paper at the conference is mandatory to receive the award

Submission Deadline

October 31, 2026
5:00 PM CDT (22:00 UTC)

Submit papers in MS Word or PDF format to:
MAAASpp@gmail.com

Award

The winner will receive a cash prize of $100.

The award recipient will be announced on the MAAAS Conference 2026 webpage.

For questions, please contact:
MAAASpp@gmail.com

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