LSE FLIA Creatives in Residence 2026: One-Year Opportunity for African Creatives to Collaborate with the London School of Economics

Applications are now open for the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa (FLIA) Creatives in Residence Programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The programme offers African creatives and members of the African diaspora an opportunity to become affiliated with one of LSE’s leading Africa-focused institutes, work alongside academics and researchers, develop creative responses to major social-science questions, and contribute to public conversations about Africa and the wider world.

The current open call was announced by LSE on 9 September 2026. Each selected Creative in Residence will initially be affiliated with FLIA for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Applications are explicitly open to people of African nationality or African descent.

The programme sits at the intersection of creative practice, academic research and public engagement. FLIA intends the residency to help artists and other creative practitioners translate complex social-science research into compelling forms that can reach audiences beyond academia.

The application deadline is 7 October 2026.

About the FLIA Creatives in Residence Programme

The Creatives in Residence Programme is run by the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, part of the London School of Economics and Political Science in London.

The programme is designed to connect Africa’s creative industries with LSE’s academic community. Its central premise is that creative practice can help researchers communicate difficult or complex ideas in forms that are accessible, memorable and capable of engaging wider audiences.

FLIA describes the programme as a way of bringing creatives with a record of creativity, innovation and leadership into dialogue with academic research. Creatives may work alongside scholars, contribute to research communication and use their artistic or professional practice to broaden the impact of academic work.

The programme is therefore not simply an opportunity to spend time at LSE independently. Successful applicants are expected to become active participants in the Institute’s intellectual community and create outputs that connect their own creative practice with wider issues being researched and debated at FLIA.

Host Institution: Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at LSE

The Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa is LSE’s principal institute focused on Africa.

Its mission is to place Africa at the centre of research, teaching, policy engagement and public debate. The Institute supports interdisciplinary scholarship, evidence-based policymaking and collaboration between researchers and institutions in Africa and elsewhere.

FLIA works across a wide range of disciplines and combines research with public engagement, policy work, leadership development and creative communication.

Its activities include initiatives such as:

• The Programme for African Leadership
• The Hub for African Thought
• Africa at LSE
• The LSE Africa Summit
• Public events and policy engagement
• Academic research programmes
• Creative communication initiatives
• The Creatives in Residence Programme

This broader institutional environment means selected residents can potentially interact not only with academics, but also with students, policy specialists, public-engagement teams and members of LSE’s wider African intellectual network.

What Is the Purpose of the Residency?

The programme seeks to create stronger connections between creative industries and academic research.

Academic research often addresses complex topics such as inequality, political change, social movements, technology, conflict, climate change, economic transformation and identity. Such work can sometimes remain inaccessible to audiences outside universities.

FLIA wants its Creatives in Residence to explore different ways of communicating these issues.

Creative approaches could potentially involve fields such as:

• Film
• Documentary
• Photography
• Visual arts
• Graphic design
• Illustration
• Digital media
• Writing
• Journalism
• Storytelling
• Performance
• Multimedia
• Cultural production
• Other forms of creative communication

The official announcement does not limit applications to one artistic medium. Its emphasis is instead on using creative practice to communicate research and engage wider audiences.

Residency Duration

Each successful Creative in Residence will initially be affiliated with FLIA for:

One year

The appointment may subsequently be renewed. FLIA holds an annual open call through which creatives can apply to join the programme.

The one-year structure gives residents time to develop meaningful relationships with researchers and create outputs that go beyond a short workshop or temporary visit.

Applicants Must Be Able to Spend Time in London

Although the residency lasts for an initial one-year period, the official call includes an important practical requirement.

Successful applicants must be able to spend time in London so that they can integrate into FLIA’s intellectual community.

Applicants based outside the United Kingdom should take this requirement seriously when considering whether they can participate.

The announcement does not state that residents must permanently relocate to London for the entire year. It says they must be able to spend time there. Applicants should therefore discuss practical expectations with FLIA if selected.

Who Can Apply?

The current call states clearly that applications are open to:

Anyone of African nationality or African descent.

This means eligibility is not limited to people currently living on the African continent.

African nationals may apply, and members of the African diaspora may also be eligible where they are of African descent.

FLIA’s wider fellowship guidance further describes Creatives in Residence as academics and non-academics who work in or on the creative industry in Africa.

This is therefore a deliberately broad opportunity that can accommodate both formally trained academics and creative practitioners whose expertise comes primarily through professional practice.

Is an Academic Degree Required?

The current application announcement does not specify a mandatory bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, PhD or other academic qualification.

That is an important distinction from traditional academic fellowships.

FLIA’s visiting fellowship guidance states that Creatives in Residence may include academics and non-academics working in or on Africa’s creative industries.

Applicants should therefore focus primarily on demonstrating the quality of their creative practice, relevant experience, leadership, past work and the strength of the project they propose to undertake.

What Kind of Applicant Is FLIA Looking For?

The wider programme description indicates that FLIA seeks creatives with a track record of creativity and leadership who can connect with academic research and help generate change through creative outputs.

A competitive applicant would therefore ideally be able to demonstrate:

• Previous creative work of strong quality
• An established creative practice
• Leadership or initiative within the creative sector
• Interest in Africa and African issues
• Capacity to collaborate with academics and researchers
• Ability to communicate complex ideas creatively
• A clear and achievable project proposal
• Capacity to produce a substantial creative output
• Willingness to engage with the FLIA community
• Availability to spend time in London

The exact weight FLIA gives to each factor is not specified in the announcement, so applicants should not treat this as a formal scoring rubric.

What Must Selected Creatives Produce?

FLIA has set several expectations for appointed Creatives in Residence.

During the residency, successful applicants are expected to:

1. Produce one creative output
2. Contribute to either the Institute’s blog or the Hub for African Thought
3. Participate in at least one event during their term

These requirements demonstrate that the programme combines creative production, written or intellectual contribution and direct community engagement.

The residency is therefore structured around tangible outputs rather than being only an honorary affiliation.

What Could the Creative Output Look Like?

The current announcement does not prescribe a particular medium.

FLIA’s broader creative engagement work demonstrates its interest in many forms of communication, ranging from blogs and podcasts to paintings, comics and other creative media.

Depending on the applicant’s profession, a proposed output might therefore potentially involve:

• A short film
• Documentary project
• Photography series
• Visual exhibition
• Multimedia project
• Podcast
• Graphic narrative
• Illustration project
• Written creative work
• Performance
• Digital storytelling project
• Research-based artistic installation
• Public-facing communication campaign

Applicants should make sure that the proposed format is appropriate for their own expertise and relevant to the subject they intend to explore.

Proposal Themes

The official announcement gives applicants considerable flexibility when choosing a project.

Proposals may align with, but are not restricted to:

• FLIA’s research themes
• LSE’s five strategic themes
• Gaps in existing thematic work
• Existing FLIA research projects
• The LSE Africa Summit theme of reparations

This flexibility means applicants do not need to force their proposal into a narrowly predetermined subject.

However, showing a meaningful connection between a proposed creative project and FLIA’s research priorities could help demonstrate why LSE is an appropriate place to undertake the work.

FLIA Research Themes for 2026–2029

FLIA’s current research strategy identifies five major thematic areas for 2026–2029:

1. Trade and Industry

This theme considers African economic transformation, industrial development, trade and the ways African countries and institutions exercise agency within changing global geopolitical and economic systems.

2. Women, Peace and Security

This area examines issues including justice, human rights, women’s participation in peace and security, conflict and gender-based violence.

3. Sustainable Multispecies Futures

This research stream examines relationships between humans, animals and environments, particularly in the context of climate change and ecological sustainability.

4. Activism, Influence and Change

This theme examines how citizens, organisations and movements bring about change by understanding power, building coalitions, developing narratives and engaging institutions.

5. Digital Cooperation and Sovereignty

This area explores digital public infrastructure, governance, technology, data, digital sovereignty and the effects of emerging technological systems on societies and states.

Applicants could use these themes as inspiration, but they are not required to restrict themselves exclusively to them.

LSE’s Wider Strategic Themes

FLIA states that its research agenda also connects with LSE’s focus on five major global challenges:

• Political economy
• Inequality
• Sustainability
• Future technologies
• Democracy

A creative proposal could therefore potentially address one or several of these areas from an African perspective.

Reparations as a Possible Theme

The current call specifically mentions reparations in connection with FLIA’s Summit theme.

This opens space for proposals examining reparations through creative approaches connected to areas such as:

• Colonialism
• Slavery and historical injustice
• Cultural restitution
• Memory
• Heritage
• Economic justice
• Identity
• Diaspora experiences
• Museums and cultural property
• Political movements
• Historical narratives

Applicants should develop their proposals according to their own expertise rather than assuming that reparations is mandatory. The official call explicitly says proposals are not restricted to the suggested themes.

Connection with the Programme for African Leadership

The broader Creatives in Residence Programme also has a strong connection with FLIA’s Programme for African Leadership (PfAL).

FLIA states that one responsibility of Creatives in Residence is to inspire, engage and facilitate access to development opportunities in creative industries for students and alumni associated with the Programme for African Leadership.

Residents may therefore have opportunities to interact with emerging African leaders studying or engaging with LSE.

Supporting Africa’s Creative Economy

A further purpose of the programme is to advance FLIA’s work around Africa’s creative economy.

The programme is designed not only around artistic production but also around broader questions about how the creative industries can contribute to African social, cultural and economic development.

This makes the residency potentially relevant to professionals working in sectors including:

• Film and television
• Media
• Photography
• Publishing
• Design
• Digital content
• Music
• Cultural production
• Creative entrepreneurship
• Visual communication
• Art
• Storytelling
• Technology-enabled creative industries

Current FLIA Creatives in Residence

FLIA currently lists several Creatives in Residence whose professional backgrounds illustrate the diversity of practitioners involved in the programme.

Current residents include:

• Chude Jideonwo, a media entrepreneur whose career spans advertising, public relations, television, radio, print and digital media
• Dr Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin II, a documentary filmmaker and media creative working on culture, identity, power and social justice
• Ian Mangenga, a social designer and AI ethics and governance researcher focusing particularly on technology, identity, access and African women
• Ama Ofeibea Tetteh, founder and lead consultant at Chapter54 with a background across graphics, communications, research and programme management

Their profiles demonstrate that the programme is not confined to one artistic discipline or career trajectory.

How Creative Practice Can Strengthen Research Communication

FLIA has a history of using creative methods to make academic research more accessible.

The Institute has worked with different formats including visual arts, comics, photography and other public-facing approaches to communicate complex research findings.

Such work reflects a broader recognition that conventional academic publications do not always reach communities, policymakers or general audiences effectively.

Creative practitioners can help transform data, historical research, interviews and theoretical concepts into experiences and narratives that are easier for wider audiences to understand and engage with.

Required Application Materials

According to the official announcement, applicants should submit three principal components:

• Previous examples of their work
• A proposal describing the project they plan to undertake during the residency
• A summary of the outputs they hope to produce by the end of the fellowship

Applicants should make sure that each component clearly demonstrates both their creative credentials and the feasibility of their proposed project.

Preparing Examples of Previous Work

Past work is likely to be important because the programme seeks people with an established track record of creative practice.

Applicants should therefore select examples that best demonstrate:

• Artistic or creative quality
• Originality
• Ability to communicate ideas
• Experience addressing social or public issues
• Leadership in creative practice
• Relevance to African contexts where applicable
• Capacity to complete ambitious projects

Depending on the medium, examples could potentially include portfolios, publications, films, photographs, recordings, project links or other appropriate evidence.

Applicants should use accessible links or formats where necessary and ensure that reviewers can easily understand their contribution to each project.

Preparing the Project Proposal

The official announcement does not prescribe a specific word count for the project proposal.

A strong proposal should nevertheless explain:

• What the applicant wants to create
• The issue or research question the project addresses
• Why the topic matters
• Why FLIA and LSE provide a suitable environment
• How the project connects with African experiences, debates or creative industries
• Which FLIA or LSE themes are relevant
• What creative method will be used
• Which audiences the applicant wants to reach
• What can realistically be completed during the residency
• What final output or outputs are anticipated

These are practical suggestions rather than additional formal requirements published by LSE.

Preparing the Output Summary

Applicants must also provide a summary of the outputs they hope to produce by the end of the fellowship.

This section should be concrete.

For example, rather than stating only that the applicant intends to “raise awareness,” it may be stronger to identify specific deliverables such as a film, photographic series, digital publication, exhibition, podcast series or other defined creative product.

The official call expects at least one creative output from appointed residents.

Application Method

Applications should be sent directly to Mark Briggs at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa.

Application email:
m.a.briggs@lse.ac.uk

Applicants should include the required materials covering previous work, their project proposal and anticipated outputs.

The announcement does not specify a separate online application portal.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

7 October 2026

The official call was published on 9 September 2026 and states that applications close on 7 October.

Prospective applicants should allow enough time to prepare a clear portfolio and project proposal rather than waiting until the deadline.

Is the Residency Funded?

The current official call does not state a stipend, salary, grant amount, travel allowance, accommodation support or visa funding.

Applicants should therefore not assume that these costs are covered.

Because successful applicants must be able to spend time in London, international candidates who require clarity regarding travel, accommodation, visa arrangements or financial support should contact FLIA directly before making major commitments.

Why the FLIA Creatives in Residence Programme Is Distinctive

Several aspects differentiate this opportunity from a conventional arts residency.

First, participants become affiliated with a major social-science institution rather than working exclusively within an arts organisation.

Second, the programme actively encourages collaboration between creative practitioners and academic researchers.

Third, selected residents are expected to produce public-facing outputs, participate in events and contribute to the Institute’s intellectual life.

Fourth, the programme focuses strongly on Africa and African perspectives, while situating those perspectives within global debates.

Finally, the one-year initial affiliation allows for a longer and potentially deeper relationship than many short-duration creative residencies.

Important Information at a Glance

Conclusion

The LSE Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa Creatives in Residence Programme 2026 provides African creatives and members of the African diaspora with an unusual opportunity to combine creative practice with academic research at one of the world’s best-known social-science institutions.

Selected creatives will join FLIA for an initial one-year affiliation, collaborate within its intellectual community and develop projects that can turn complex social-science ideas into compelling forms of public communication.

The call is particularly broad in terms of professional background. Applicants do not need to follow a single artistic discipline, and the official announcement does not impose a specific academic degree requirement. What matters most is a meaningful creative track record, a strong project proposal, clearly identified outputs and the ability to spend time in London.

Applicants may connect their projects with FLIA’s research priorities, LSE’s broader strategic themes, existing research projects, gaps in current work or the theme of reparations. Successful residents will be expected to deliver at least one creative output, contribute to FLIA’s blog or Hub for African Thought and participate in at least one event during the residency.

The deadline to apply is 7 October 2026.

Official FLIA Creatives in Residence application announcement

For more global opportunities, click HERE.