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African and African Diaspora Studies Department

Headshot of scholar and Professor Christen Smith

Black Women’s Academic Work is Not for the Taking

January 25, 2023 by Alaina Bookman

From its start at the National Women’s Studies Association Conference in 2018, Cite Black Women has developed into a movement. As founder and COLA professor Christen Smith has said, “I’m not fighting to be on someone’s bibliography. I’m fighting to have my intellectual self respected, and the intellectual work of my foremothers respected, the intellectual work of my sisters and friends respected.”

Lisa B. Thompson

The New Conversation with Lisa B. Thompson

November 14, 2022 by Kaulie Watson

A professor of African and African diaspora studies at The University of Texas at Austin and a celebrated author and playwright, Thompson is also a Presidential Visiting Scholar at The New School for 2022-23. The New School’s president Dwight A. McBride recently interviewed Thompson about her work as an artist-scholar and how she uses her teaching to give students creative liberty.

Animated illustration of a book and cityscape within a snow globe with letters falling like snow.

Shake Up Your Winter Reading

December 11, 2020 by Michelle Bryant

Winter 2020-21 books from our college community.

Portrait of Edmund T. Gordon.

Doing the Right Thing

January 11, 2018 by Rachel White

The Pro Bene Meritis award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts. Since 1984, the annual award has been given to alumni, faculty members and friends of the college who are committed to the liberal arts, have made outstanding contributions in professional or philanthropic pursuits or have participated in service related to the college. […]

Portrait of Bill Powers.

Leading His Longhorn Family

October 29, 2015 by Rachel White

The Pro Bene Meritis award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. Since 1984, the annual award has been given to alumni, faculty members and friends of the college who are committed to the liberal arts, have made outstanding contributions in professional or philanthropic […]

Edmund Gordon with students in front of Tower

Gordon Receives Presidential Citation

December 4, 2014 by David Ochsner

Edmund T. Gordon, chair of the African and African Diaspora Studies Department (AADS) in the College of Liberal Arts, was recognized on April 17 with a Presidential Citation from UT Austin President Bill Powers. As one of the university’s highest honors, this prestigious award was established to recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals who personify […]

Professor King Davis.

Shaping the Future of African-American Policy in Texas

April 28, 2012 by Molly Wahlberg

Davis Appointed Founding Director of Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis In connection with the African and African Diaspora Studies Department, The University of Texas at Austin has appointed King Davis founding director of the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis. Davis, professor and Robert Lee Sutherland Chair in Mental Health and Social […]

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