British Institute in Eastern Africa

The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It is registered in the United Kingdom as a charity (number 1061622) and in Kenya as a non-governmental organization. The Institute is sponsored by the British Academy and has been active since 1960, initially operating as the British Institute of History and Archaeology in East Africa before changing its name to its current form in 1970.

Overview

The BIEA focuses on promoting innovative research across various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, primarily in eastern Africa but also extending beyond the region. It supports projects in anthropology, archaeology, history, linguistics, political science, environmental studies, geography, public health, and art and performance. The Institute's research centre, located in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, offers facilities that include workspaces, accommodation for visiting academics, a comprehensive reference library, and seminar/lecture facilities.

Programs and Initiatives

• Graduate Attachment Scheme (GAS): A program designed to support graduate and postgraduate education by offering attachments for students to gain research experience.
• Research Fellowships: The BIEA offers several fellowships, including Humanities and Archaeology Research Fellowships, to support scholars in their research endeavors.
• Publications: The Institute publishes two peer-reviewed journals: Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa and the Journal of Eastern African Studies. These journals provide a platform for disseminating research findings on African archaeology and social sciences.

Governance and Structure

The BIEA is governed by a Council based in London, elected by its members. It operates as a company limited by guarantee without share capital. The Institute's membership is open to all interested individuals.

Directors

The directors of the BIEA have included significant figures in the field of African studies:

• Neville Chittick (1961-1983)
• John Sutton (1983-1998)
• Paul Lane (1998-2006)
• Justin Willis (2006-2009)
• Ambreena Manji (2010-2014)
• Joost Fontein (2014-2018)
• Jane Humphris (2018-present), based in London
• Freda Nkirote (2018-present), based in Nairobi

The BIEA continues to play a vital role in fostering collaborative research in eastern Africa and beyond, serving as part of the broader network of British international Research Institutes (BIRI).

[1] https://biea.ac.uk/about-minimal-portfolio/welcome-to-biea/ [2] https://biea.ac.uk [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Institute_of_Eastern_Africa [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3937964/charity-overview [5] https://darpe.me/implement-entries/british-institute-in-eastern-africa-biea/