Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies at the University of Toronto

Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies at the University of Toronto

The Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies is a prestigious, fully funded academic opportunity offered by the African Studies Centre at the University of Toronto, housed within the Faculty of Arts and Science. With a long-standing legacy dating back to 1978, African Studies at the University of Toronto has grown into one of the most respected undergraduate programs in Canada and a leading hub for African-focused scholarship in North America.

This fellowship represents a significant investment in emerging scholars whose work advances innovative, interdisciplinary, and socially engaged research on Africa and its global diasporas. Supported by a generous endowment from Mr. Richard Rooney, the fellowship aims to nurture new voices in African Studies while strengthening the Centre’s commitment to public scholarship, social justice, inclusivity, and community engagement.

About the African Studies Centre

The African Studies Centre serves as a vibrant intellectual, cultural, and social space for students, researchers, and community partners. It is deeply committed to:

• Epistemic diversity
• Decolonizing approaches to knowledge
• Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research
• Community engagement and public scholarship

The Centre brings together scholars from the humanities, social sciences, creative arts, and other fields to explore the complexities of African societies and their diasporas.

Fellowship Overview

The Richard Rooney Postdoctoral Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career scholars to develop and expand their research within a supportive academic environment. Fellows will engage with faculty mentors, participate in Centre activities, and contribute to knowledge dissemination locally, across Africa, and globally.

Area of Research

The fellowship welcomes proposals across a broad spectrum of African Studies, including:

• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Creative arts
• Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary fields
• Research grounded in Africa and its diasporas
• Projects advancing decolonizing methodologies

Key Responsibilities of the Fellow

The selected fellow will undertake a range of scholarly and community-oriented activities, including:

1. Developing and executing an independent research program that contributes meaningfully to African Studies.
2. Collaborating with faculty mentors and engaging with interdisciplinary colleagues.
3. Participating actively in the Centre’s intellectual life, including seminars, workshops, events, and public scholarship initiatives.
4. Contributing to knowledge dissemination within Canada, across Africa, and internationally.
5. Supporting the Centre’s mission of social justice, inclusivity, and community engagement.

Salary and Benefits

• Annual Salary: $70,000
• Benefits: Included
• Term: 12 months
• Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Note: If the collective agreement minimum rate is higher, the collective agreement rate will apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Completion of a PhD between June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2026
• Demonstrated academic excellence and strong research potential
• Eligibility to begin the fellowship by November 1, 2026
• Commitment to public intellectual work and community engagement (an asset)

The fellowship is open to domestic and international candidates.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit one single PDF file named LastName_FirstName.pdf containing:

1. Letter of application (max. 3 pages) including:
   • Cover letter
   • Statement of research and contributions
2. One-page statement describing how the applicant will contribute to the African Studies Centre and the University of Toronto
3. Detailed CV
4. Two-page research proposal outlining:
   • Project description
   • Importance and impact
   • Alignment with academic/professional goals
   • Intended contributions
5. Names and contact information for three academic references

Deadline: July 10, 2026 Expected Start Date: November 1, 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

 

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