Gender, Creative Dissidence, and the Discourses of African Diaspora

The History Department is co-sponsoring the upcoming conference “Gender, Creative Dissidence, and the Discourses of African Diaspora: A Colloquium in Honor of Ama Ata Aidoo,” to be held at the UCSB Interdisciplinary Humanities Center, May 24-26, 2012.
Ama Ata Aidoo, an eminent Ghanaian playwright and author, will deliver the keynote address (UC Regent’s Lecture and UCSB Michael Douglas Lecture):
Thursday, May 24, 4 PM / Hatlen Theatre

Ama Ata Aidoo’s well known play, ANOWA, will be staged by the Theater & Dance Department, opening night:
Friday, May 25, 8 pm / Hatlen Theater

The African Studies Research Focus Group at UCSB proudly presents Gender, Creative Dissidence, and the Discourses of African Diaspora, a three-day conference at that will explore the work of eminent Ghanaian author Ama Ata Aidoo and the broader questions of Diaspora and gender it raises. Due to her illustrious literary repute, contributions to Ghanaian national culture, and global commitment to women’s liberation and anti-imperialism, Ms. Aidoo is the ideal pivot for this colloquium. Along with her keynote address, the conference will feature speakers who will engender novel feminist approaches to Diaspora that elucidate its potential as a site of solidarity, new cultural formations, and political possibilities, paying particular attention to relationships between gender constructs and cultural specificities. Invited speakers include scholars and grad students from the UC system and various U.S. universities.

Bio

Ama Ata Aidoo’s literary career dates from when, as an undergraduate, she wrote her first play, The Dilemma Of A Ghost (1964), which was subsequently produced and published. She followed that up with Anowa (drama 1970). Since then, she has published novels, including Changes (1991), volumes of poetry and short stories including An Angry Letter In January & Other Poems (1992) and The Girl Who Can & Other Stories (1997). Her third collection of short stories Diplomatic Pounds & Other Stories was published on 1st March 2012 by Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited, UK. She also edited the widely-acclaimed African Love Stories Anthology, published by Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited (Oxford, UK, 2006). Her books for children include Birds & Other Poems (2002). Aidoo has taught at colleges and universities in Ghana and the United States including the University of Cape Coast and Brown University. She currently lives in Ghana and is the Executive Director of Mbaasem, a foundation to promote the work of Ghanaian and African women writers.

See the conference website for more information.

hm 5/11/12