Decolonising Geography? Disciplinary Histories and the End of the British Empire in Africa, 1948-1990

This book explores how colonialism, decolonization, and postcolonialism shaped African geography and geographers. It sheds light on efforts to 'Africanize the discipline' and provides fresh insights into decolonization in the former British Empire in Africa.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2023
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

“This book presents an extraordinarily sensitive account of geographys histories in five African countries subjected to British colonial rule. Craggs and Neate draw together political and imaginative processes of decolonisation,through an innovative biographical approach that humanizes and enlivens the story of our academic discipline. It will be an invaluable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of decolonisation,its recent trajectories and far-reaching implications,on the African continent.” —Shari Daya, Affiliate Associate Professor in Environmental and Geographical Science,University of Cape Town “By placing the experiences,ideas,and practices of African geographers in the center of their analyses,Craggs and Neate provide an unprecedented account of historical and contemporary decolonizing struggles within Geography and the academy. This book should be required reading for all those looking to decolonize the discipline and dislodge it from its Global North histories,institutions,and ideologies.” —Mona Domosh, Professor of Geography,The Joan P. and Edward J. Foley Jr. 1933 Professor,Dartmouth College “This meticulous work explores how colonialism,decolonization and postcolonialism shaped African geography and geographers. It sheds light on efforts to ‘Africanize the discipline,a process which I was both witness to and a participant in.” —Stanley Okafor, Professor of Geography (Retired),University of Ibadan How did a generation of academic geographers engage with constitutional decolonisation during the end of the British empire in Africa? In Decolonising Geography? Disciplinary Histories and the End of the British Empire in Africa,1948-1998, Ruth Craggs and Hannah Neate explore how the teaching,research,and publication of geography in Africa were affected by the process of decolonisation. They trace the development of geography as an academic discipline in Africa,from its early colonial roots to the postcolonial era. The book also examines the impact of decolonisation on the geographers themselves,including their experiences of exile,relocation,and professional marginalisation.

Craggs and Neate argue that the decolonisation of geography was not a linear process,but rather a complex and multifaceted one. They highlight the ways in which geographers responded to the challenges of decolonisation,including the development of new research agendas,the adoption of new methodologies,and the promotion of African perspectives in geography. The book also explores the ways in which geography was used as a tool of colonialism,and the ways in which geographers resisted this.

Decolonising Geography? Disciplinary Histories and the End of the British Empire in Africa is a valuable contribution to the field of geography. It provides a detailed account of the historical and contemporary struggles of African geographers,and sheds light on the ways in which geography has been shaped by colonialism,decolonisation,and postcolonialism. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of geography,history,and African studies,as well as anyone who is interested in the development of academic disciplines and the impact of colonialism on the world.”

Dimension: 2290 x 1520 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781119549284