For culture interested- and culture creators in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Detroit, London, Paris or Dakar, the name Bayreuth is a common word.
The academy, founded with the funds from the Federal Ministry for education and research, provides a frame work for groundbreaking research projects, which are linked to overarching debates. The academy brings research to Africa and to African diaspora in a scientific dialogue with other research centers and thus opens new perspectives beyond the limits of regional studies. The main focus of the Bayreuth academy during the first phase (2012–2016) is on the total project “Future Africa – Visions in Transition”, which is divided in five subprojects.
The academy‘s main work focus lies on cultural and social sciences but she is also open for other subjects. Her scientific findings and debates on big current topics should be broad out in cultural and educational work, in public and in politics. Thus the academy organizes regularly public lecture series and acts as a cooperation partner with other institutions of the IAS.