SIA Launches Fall 2019 Seminar Series: Focus on Africa

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of International Affairs on October 3 officially launched its Fall 2019 Seminar Series: Focus on Africa, featuring experts in a range of disciplines from across the University and the world. All talks are free and open to the public.

"We have five exciting talks planned in this series, which we hope will spark intellectual engagement and meaningful discussion among students, faculty, staff, and all members of our community," said Mare Sarr, associate professor of international affairs and African studies and the lead organizer of the seminar series.

Among the series’ guest speakers is Dr. Christopher Loewald, head of policy development and research at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). Loewald joined the bank in 2011 following a lengthy career in the National Treasury where he worked on macroeconomic, fiscal, international economic, and growth policies, and became the deputy director-general for economic policy in 2006. He was recently appointed as the sixth member of SARB’s Monetary Policy Committee.

His October 10 seminar will focus on emerging markets, macro frameworks, and the political economy of reform.

“This series brings outstanding scholars to Penn State, advances our understanding of the world’s fastest growing continent in terms of GNP and population, and highlights the incredible depth and breadth of the School of International’s Affairs’ expertise on Africa,” said Scott Gartner, director of the School of International Affairs.

The series coincides with the inauguration of SIA’s new graduate degree concentration in African Development.

The Fall 2019 Seminar Series includes:

October 3, 2019 @ 4:30 p.m. – Katz Building Auditorium
"Sudan: Uprising, Transition, and Prospects for Democratization"
Ahmed Kodouda, Ph.D. candidate, George Washington University

October 10, 2019 @ 4:00 p.m. – 236 Katz Building
"Emerging Markets, Macro Frameworks, and the Political Economy of Reform"
Dr. Christopher Loewald, head of policy development and research, South African Reserve Bank

October 22, 2019 @ 12:00 p.m. – 249 Katz Building
"Honor Among Chiefs: An Experiment on Monitoring and Diversion Among Traditional Leaders in Malawi"
Dr. Elizabeth Carlson, Professor of Political Science and African Studies, Penn State University

November 1, 2019 @ 1:30 p.m. – Katz Auditorium
Postponed until spring 2020
"Conflict, Food Systems, and Development in Africa: Evidence from Africa"
Dr. Adesoji Adelaja, Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy, Michigan State University

November 14, 2019 @ 12:30 p.m. – 249 Katz Building
"Contract Workers, Risk, and the War in Iraq: Sierra Leonean Labor Migrants at U.S. Military Bases"
Dr. Kevin Thomas, Professor of Sociology, Demography, and African Studies, Penn State University