Africa as focus of research is prominent at the University of Cologne since the 1950s and based on a high disciplinary diversity and an interdisciplinary network tested in numerous projects. Scientific work concerning social, cultural, and linguistic change on the African continent is done in a wide spectrum of disciplines in Cologne: from Prehistoric Archaeology, Archaeology and Egyptology to African Studies and Social and Cultural Anthropology. 

• Single Projects

Besides a profound humanistic, social and cultural approach the focus in Cologne is charakterized by problem-oriented cooperation with disciplines from other faculties, even more so in large-scale projects like CRC 389 (ACACIA - Arid Climate Adaptation and Cultural Innovation in Africa) and IMPETUS (An Integrated Approach to the Efficient Management of Scarce Water Resources in West Africa). The long-lasting cooperation with Natural Sciences (Geography, Botany, Meteorology) have to be mentioned as well as cooperations with medical disciplines (Bacteriology and Virology). Furthermore joint projects with the University of Bonn (Geography, several institutes of the Faculty for Agriculture as well as the Centre for Development Research) have been developed and conducted.

• Collaborative Projects