Prof.The Department of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies (formerly Institute of African Studies), situated inside the National Museums of Kenya compound, is one of the oldest Institutes within the Faculty of Social Sciences. It started as a cultural division of the Institute for Development Studies in 1967. In 1970 the Institute became full fledged and moved to its current location inside the National Museums of Kenya compound. In addition, the Institute is the custodian of the historic Chiromo Mansion (which was declared a National Monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Act – Gazette Notice No. 1427 of 9th March 2001), where it houses its material culture section.
Since its inception, the Department has expanded its academic programmes. Currently the following programmes are offered:·
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology·
Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Development Studies
· Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology
· Master of Arts Degree in Gender and Development Studies
· Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology
Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies
Doctor of Philosophy in African Women Studies
Milestones
1983 Bachelor of arts in Anthropology Programme launched
1986 Master of Arts in Anthropology programme Launched
1986 Doctor of Philosophy programme Launched
2001 Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Development Studies launched
2001 Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies launched
We are currently working on our latest programme which will receive initial support from the World Health Organization.
Faculty at the Institute are involved in various exciting research projects. Over the years we have been involved in research on documenting socio-cultural issues of Kenyan communities resulting in the "District Socio-Cultural Profile Publications." Other projects in which the Institute and faculty have been actively involved in include:
The Kenya Danish Health Research Project (1993 to 2003) with financial support from DANIDA and involving DBL – Institute for Health Research and Development as its principle partner.
· Reproductive Health of Needs of Men with financial support from USAID through Population Council.
· Governance Project with financial support from UNDP.
· Research Capacity Strengthening (RCSPlus) with financial support from World Health Organization.
· Cystercercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa (CESA) Project with financial support from DANIDA.
· REACT Project (2005 – 2010) with financial support from the European Union.