News

Bayreuth, 06.02.2025 – The Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) at the University of Bayreuth proudly celebrates a significant milestone with the graduation of its 200th alumni. On Thursday, 6 February 2025, Eleanor Schaumann successfully defended her doctoral dessertation entitled „Priceless but Worthless: Values and Valuation Practices in Namibian Karakul Sheep Farming” making her the 200th graduate of BIGSAS in 18 years. This achievement underscores the graduate school‘s commitment to fostering top-tier research on Africa and producing scholars who contribute to academic and societal advancements globally.

Founded in 2007 as part of the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments, BIGSAS has established itself as the number one graduate school for African Studies. Over the years, it has supported doctoral candidates from more than 30 African, European, and other international countries, providing them with an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research environment. The program’s unique structure encourages collaboration between junior researchers and senior scholars, fostering a vibrant international and interdisciplinary academic community that promotes knowledge exchange and mutual learning. Today, BIGSAS is an integral part of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence that has been funded by the DFG since 2019.

Since its inception, BIGSAS has been dedicated to interdisciplinary research, bringing together doctoral candidates from diverse backgrounds to explore critical issues related to Africa and its global interactions. The program has become a leading hub for African Studies, drawing scholars from across the world and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to address pressing global challenges.

“This milestone highlights the impact BIGSAS has had over the years in training and mentoring a new generation of scholars,” explains Prof. Dr. Susanne Mühleisen, Director of BIGSAS and Chair of English Linguistics at the University of Bayreuth. “Our alumni are making meaningful contributions in academia, policy, and various professional fields all over the world, shaping conversations on Africa from a well-researched, nuanced perspective.”

The 200th graduate, Eleanor Schaumann, successfully defended her dissertation on the Namibian Karakul industry, a type of sheep farming centered on producing lamb pelts for the international fashion industry. Introduced to Namibia in 1907 by the German colonial administration, Karakul sheep farming is deeply intertwined with colonial histories of land dispossession and forced labor. Once a major export industry, the sector now faces an existential crisis due to drought, declining pelt prices, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Schaumann’s research explores this crisis as one of value and valuation practices, where once-prized pelts have lost their economic worth, profoundly affecting farmers' livelihoods and identities. Through ethnographic fieldwork, she examines how farmers navigate this shift, redefining their roles from colonial pioneers to custodians of land and heritage, while adapting their practices amid changing economic and environmental conditions.

 As BIGSAS continues to expand its research network and collaborations, it remains committed to fostering academic excellence and cross-cultural dialogue. This milestone serves as a testament to the dedication of its scholars, faculty, and partners in advancing a deeper understanding of Africa and its global significance.