Anthropology and Graduate Research in Ethiopia: Changes and Continuities at Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This paper deals with area studies in Africa particularly focusing on the research activities of the department of social anthropology (SOAN) at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. The department started an MA program in social anthropology 1991 and a PhD program in 2010. SOAN's graduate programs have been closely associated with international partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of anthropological education and research. Graduate research activities of the department have a strong ethnographic orientation and a wide range of regional and thematic coverage. In the two and half decades' journey, the graduate programs have passed through the period of successes and challenges. This study explores the history of the graduate programs, SOAN's engagement in international partnership, enrolment and graduation trends, thematic areas and regional coverage of graduates' research activities in the last 11 years (2006–2016).