As part of the MA in Global African Studies – International Diplomacy course, Professor Stephen Chan OBE, a distinguished academic and international civil servant from SOAS University of London, delivered a guest lecture on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Led by Professor Zaynab El Bernoussi, Interim Chair of the Department of Humanities and Associate Professor of Political Science, the session engaged students with key insights into African political thought, its connections to Black intellectualism, and South Africa’s role in shaping diplomacy focused on ethical leadership.
Drawing from his extensive diplomatic experience, particularly in Beijing, Prof. Chan emphasized the importance of principled leadership and the potential for greater institutional autonomy within African governance, including the idea of African courts of justice. A pioneer in modern electoral observation in Africa, Prof. Chan continues to serve as a leading scholar and diplomat.
“Professor Chan’s lecture offered our students a unique opportunity to engage with a leading expert whose work has profoundly shaped African diplomacy. It’s a chance to connect academic learning with the realities of international relations, especially in a world where ethical leadership is more important than ever,” said Professor El Bernoussi.
This session is part of the university’s commitment to bringing distinguished experts into the classroom, fostering critical discussions on international relations and diplomacy.
Students can advance their studies through the MA in Global African Studies, which provides an interdisciplinary approach to studying global Africa, combining academic rigor with practical engagement to address the region’s most pressing challenges, or the Ph.D. program in Global Studies. Ph.D. admissions for the Fall 2025 cohort are open, with applications accepted until May 1, 2025.
As part of the MA in Global African Studies – International Diplomacy course, Professor Stephen Chan OBE, a distinguished academic and international civil servant from SOAS University of London, delivered a guest lecture on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Led by Professor Zaynab El Bernoussi, Interim Chair of the Department of Humanities and Associate Professor of Political Science, the session engaged students with key insights into African political thought, its connections to Black intellectualism, and South Africa’s role in shaping diplomacy focused on ethical leadership.
As part of the MA in Global African Studies – International Diplomacy course, Professor Stephen Chan OBE, a distinguished academic and international civil servant from SOAS University of London, delivered a guest lecture on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Led by Professor Zaynab El Bernoussi, Interim Chair of the Department of Humanities and Associate Professor of Political Science, the session engaged students with key insights into African political thought, its connections to Black intellectualism, and South Africa’s role in shaping diplomacy focused on ethical leadership.
Drawing from his extensive diplomatic experience, particularly in Beijing, Prof. Chan emphasized the importance of principled leadership and the potential for greater institutional autonomy within African governance, including the idea of African courts of justice. A pioneer in modern electoral observation in Africa, Prof. Chan continues to serve as a leading scholar and diplomat.
“Professor Chan’s lecture offered our students a unique opportunity to engage with a leading expert whose work has profoundly shaped African diplomacy. It’s a chance to connect academic learning with the realities of international relations, especially in a world where ethical leadership is more important than ever,” said Professor El Bernoussi.
This session is part of the university’s commitment to bringing distinguished experts into the classroom, fostering critical discussions on international relations and diplomacy.
Students can advance their studies through the MA in Global African Studies, which provides an interdisciplinary approach to studying global Africa, combining academic rigor with practical engagement to address the region’s most pressing challenges, or the Ph.D. program in Global Studies. Ph.D. admissions for the Fall 2025 cohort are open, with applications accepted until May 1, 2025.
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