Work on the project is divided into 6 work packages – out of these, one is dedicated to project and research management (WP 1). Two of the work packages are dedicated to research: one focuses on the gathering of data (WP 3), and one on analysis and development of outputs (WP 4). Work packages 5 and 6 are dedicated to dissemination and exploitation – the former addresses this in an academic context, while the latter captures public engagement activities.
Over the course of the outgoing period, the fellow completed the majority of data collection activities (WP 3) in archives (16 archives consulted) and in the form of interviews (31 interviews conducted), and has commenced with the analysis and development of output (WP 4). The remainder of interviews (14 in number) was conducted during the return phase.
In terms of academic dissemination and exploitation, the fellow presented her research at 10 academic conferences/seminars/workshops, is currently preparing one article on gender and making/crafts, and has been invited to contribute to a Special Section of the Transactions of the Royal Historical Society. The fellow is also continuing to develop her monograph, for which she has presented a proposal to publishers. The fellow has engaged in teaching activities at the University of Ibadan (mainly Master’s and Doctoral students), and at the University of Graz (Bachelor students).
With public engagement (WP 6), the fellow has organised a workshop for artists in Lagos (together with the art foundation Africa 1952), and has given a presentation of first results to a wider public under the auspices of the museum and cultural hub Loving Lagos. In Europe, the fellow has presented her work to a broader public at the International Institute for social History (The Netherlands). Moreover, the fellow has worked with Advancing Equality Within the Austrian School System (AEWTAS) to facilitate workshops for policy makers authors of school text books on images of Africa. The fellow has established contact with actors in international development cooperation, which are particularly interested in the fellow’s expertise in the history of technical education in Nigiera, as well as the history of technical teacher training. The fellow has also published a map of goldsmiths in late 1940s Lagos (Lagos Island) via google maps on the project website (and Instagram). She has more generally published on her work on the project website and on the Instagram account @_makingthings_.
In terms of training, networking and career development (WP 2), the fellow has completed oral history training, and she has received training in digital humanities and in public engagement at both, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin, and the University of Graz. The fellow has completed a 3-month Secondment at the African Studies Centre Leiden in The Netherlands. In terms of networking and interdisciplinary collaborations, she has participated in 16 academic conferences and workshops and seminars (and other departmental seminars and reading groups). She has built ongoing collaborations in West Africa and in Europe. Collaborations with scholars in languages/linguistics at the University of Graz involve teaching activities in 2025/2026, an interdisciplinary workshop, and contributing to building an Africa Science Hub at the University of Graz. She is also collaborating with a colleague in literature (in the UK) on developing a special issue on West African Food Cultures.
Results of this Action are and will continue to be reported in past and forthcoming conference/seminar and workshop presentations, in planned and forthcoming paper, and the project monograph, in teaching and public engagement activities in addition to the ones already produced over the course of the fellowship. Moreover, results are also reported on the project website as well as on the project Instagram account.
