The AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme represents a transformative opportunity for African researchers seeking to expand their academic networks and build collaborative bridges with scholars at the University of Oxford. The programme is a robust and visionary initiative crafted to boost African-led research, foster intellectual exchange, and strengthen the global research community with unique African perspectives.
By combining ten months of virtual engagement with a two-month immersive residency at Oxford during Trinity Term, AfOx offers an unparalleled platform. This fusion of remote and in-person learning encourages interdisciplinary dialogue and allows fellows to focus deeply on their research projects while accessing Oxford’s world-class resources.
Moreover, this Fellowship is grounded in equity. It prioritizes applications from women and underrepresented groups, ensuring the academic landscape reflects the diversity of the African continent. As a result, it not only elevates the voices of African researchers but also enriches Oxford’s scholarly ecosystem with diverse insights and real-world perspectives.
Let’s delve into the many layers of this prestigious programme, and discover why it has become a beacon for academic collaboration between Africa and Oxford.
What Makes the AfOx Fellowship Unique
The AfOx Fellowship isn’t just another academic residency. What sets it apart is its design, built around flexibility, collaboration, and impact. Unlike traditional fellowships, AfOx includes a ten-month virtual collaboration phase that precedes a two-month visit to Oxford. This allows fellows to establish working relationships, refine proposals, and align their goals with their Oxford collaborators long before they ever step foot in the UK.
Not only that, fellows are also embedded within a specific department and a college, ensuring they experience Oxford’s community and academic environment fully. This dual affiliation strengthens their access to mentoring, seminars, resources, and collaborative spaces.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Applicants must be nationals of an African country and affiliated with an African academic or research institution. AfOx is deliberately inclusive, placing a strong emphasis on supporting women and underrepresented groups in academia. A PhD is not strictly required, though applicants must demonstrate exceptional research potential and academic merit.
To be considered, every applicant must have an Oxford-based researcher named as a collaborator. This key requirement underscores AfOx’s emphasis on genuine, mutually beneficial partnerships. The selection process is rigorous, guided by academic excellence, project feasibility, and alignment with AfOx’s goals of equity and innovation.
Application Process and Key Dates
The application portal remains open until 6th June 2025 at 11:59 AM UK time. The process involves submitting a detailed application through the official AfOx website, including:
- A research proposal aligned with a relevant Oxford department
- A letter of support from an Oxford-based collaborator
- CV and institutional endorsement
Once submitted, applications undergo expert review to ensure the most promising candidates are selected based on both academic merit and societal relevance.
The Role of Oxford Collaborators
Oxford collaborators are essential to the success of the Fellowship. They serve as mentors, research partners, and connectors. AfOx provides ample resources to help prospective fellows identify suitable collaborators across various departments—ranging from the Humanities to Mathematical Sciences and Public Health.
Importantly, applicants are advised to initiate these conversations early, using departmental websites, academic journals, and networking platforms to find researchers with similar interests.
Partner Departments and Thematic Focus
AfOx operates through partnerships with leading Oxford institutions, including:
- The Refugee Studies Centre
- TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities)
- Law Faculty
- African Studies Centre
- Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanization
- The Pandemic Sciences Institute
- Oxford Department of International Development
Each partner offers unique thematic areas, allowing applicants to align their research with global challenges like equitable healthcare, pandemic response, sustainable development, and more.
Promoting Equitable Healthcare Access
A standout component of the Fellowship is the dedicated track on Improving Equitable Access to Healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Applicants can propose research in any relevant field—epidemiology, health systems, policy analysis—so long as it contributes to solving healthcare disparities in under-resourced regions.
This theme exemplifies AfOx’s commitment to impact-driven research and the health equity goals of global academic institutions.
Success Stories: Voices from AfOx Fellows
Dr. Stephen B. Kennedy, a senior fellow, leveraged his time at Oxford to conduct Liberia’s first genomic study and co-author grants focused on public health emergencies. His experience illustrates how AfOx fuels groundbreaking, regionally relevant research.
Similarly, Prof. Kalpana Hiralal explored South Africa’s anti-apartheid legacy through Oxford’s archives, culminating in the launch of her book at a prestigious Oxford venue. These narratives reflect how AfOx not only catalyzes academic work but also nurtures long-term scholarly identity.
Support, Resources, and Immersive Experience
From access to the Bodleian Library to seminars across Oxford’s 38 colleges, AfOx fellows receive unmatched intellectual nourishment. The two-month in-person visit ensures that virtual connections blossom into real-life academic collaborations, social interactions, and even publishing opportunities.
AfOx also supports logistical aspects like visa facilitation, helping scholars navigate international processes smoothly.
Conclusion
The AfOx Visiting Fellowship Programme isn’t just a stepping stone—it’s a launchpad. Designed with intention and executed with excellence, it empowers African scholars to bring their research to the world stage, develop transcontinental partnerships, and return home enriched and ready to influence policy, academia, and society.
Whether you’re an emerging scholar or a seasoned academic with bold ideas, AfOx invites you to join a community that believes in the power of research to change lives—across Africa and beyond.
