Subnational Colonial state-building in Africa
Martha Wilfahrt, Professor
Political Science
Closed. This professor is continuing with Spring 2025 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Fall 2025.
The construction of the African colonial state saw extensive re-arranging of political space as European colonial powers sought to extend their control across newly claimed territories. In many cases, these subnational boundaries largely persist to the present, raising the question of how colonial visions of state-building influence contemporary political outcomes on the continent.
This project builds a dataset of subnational partition over time by georeferencing maps of colonial boundaries over time in order to examine what logics animated colonial territorial divisions and, in turn, what the long-run consequences of these choices has been.
Role: The URAP will work with Professor Wilfahrt in building a dataset of colonial state-building by georeferencing historical maps of subnational partitions in Africa from ~1900-1960. Regular meetings are required, but all work can be conducted remotely (library access not needed).
Qualifications: Familiarity with a mapping program (QGIS or Arc) desirable but not essential; apprentices can develop these skills over the semester as Professor can provide training. Prior coursework in African studies, geography, history or political science is desirable.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Social Sciences