New Faculty Research Grant Promotes Scholarly Focus on Africa

To support scholarly research that reflects Duquesne’s strategic commitment to a closer relationship with the nations and peoples of Africa, the University has launched the Rev. Alphons Loogman, C.S.Sp., Faculty Research Grant.

In the 2014-2015 academic year, the University may award up to three grants of $4,500 each. All full-time Duquesne faculty members are eligible for the funding, and collaborative and cross-disciplinary research projects are encouraged. Because the grants will support research and scholarship that reflects Duquesne’s mission focus on the continent of Africa, a wide range of research projects across a broad range of disciplines would fit within the scope of the program.

“This adds an essential component to Duquesne’s strategic focus on Africa by involving faculty in an area that they have a unique competence for—scholarship—and thereby encouraging them to engage our African initiative on that level,” said Dr. Gerald Boodoo, director of the Center for African Studies.

The idea for the creation of the Loogman Faculty Grant program came about during the Center for African Studies’ Duquesne’s African Initiative: Developing Academic Programs seminar presented by University President Charles J. Dougherty in February. After President Dougherty’s remarks, a question was posed regarding research possibilities for faculty. From there, the grant program quickly took shape, and Dr. Timothy R. Austin, provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced the new opportunity during his first Academic Affairs Open Forum on March 18.

The grant program is named for Loogman, who was a professor of Swahili at Duquesne in the early 1960s. Loogman helped to establish Duquesne as a noted center of African studies during his tenure.

Complete details regarding the application process are available by visiting the Center for African Studies’ website. Applications are due on or before Wednesday, April 30.