GIS African Studies in France 2026 Thesis Prize: three young researchers honoured

The GIS for African Studies in France (CNRS, UAR 2999) awards an annual prize for research on the African continent and its diasporas that stands out for its excellence and the particularly innovative nature of its contribution, whether empirical, methodological or theoretical.

Open to theses defended in France across all disciplines within the humanities, social sciences and literature, the prize recognises, in particular, the quality of the contribution to studies on Africa and its diasporas, the originality of the subject, the innovative nature of the approach and the quality of the writing, with a view to publication.

Three winners for the 2026 edition

Following the selection process and the jury’s deliberations, three entries were awarded prizes this year:

• Claire Dutrait, for her thesis Of Bark and Lead. In search of narratives that venture into critical zones, supervised by Catherine Mazauric (AMU / CIELAM) and Felwine Sarr (Duke University, USA).
• Mahamat Nour Moussa Ilyass, for his thesis A Militarised Pharmaceutical Market: The Circulation of Medicines and Regulatory Practices in Chad, supervised by Mathieu Quet (IRD / CEPED).
• Léa Jobard, for her thesis Rock Art, Territorialities and Landscapes of Hunter-Gatherers in the Late Stone Age in Zimbabwe (Matobo Hills, 13,000–2,000 BP), supervised by François Bon (UT2J / TRACES) and Camille Bourdier (UT2J / TRACES).

Each winner receives a grant of 2,500 euros, intended primarily to fund the publication of their thesis.

To support and promote research in African studies

Awarded annually since 2022, the GIS African Studies in France Thesis Prize initially recognised two theses as joint winners. Since 2025, the GIS has chosen to recognise three theses, across all disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and literature, and covering all areas relating to Africa and its diasporas.

The selection is based on a two-stage evaluation process. Following an initial review of the applications by a first panel, eight theses are shortlisted. A final panel is then tasked with selecting the winners.

The 2026 Thesis Awards ceremony took place on 29 June 2026, on the opening day of the 9th edition of the Rencontres des Études Africaines en France (REAF 2026).