As a practice in which human beings were held captive for an indefinite period of time, coerced into extremely dependent and exploitative power relationships, denied rights (including rights over their labor, lives, and bodies), often vulnerable to forced relocation by various means, and forced to labor against their will, slavery has existed in innumerable societies throughout global history.

Indeed, human bondage and trafficking have also connected societies and continents from antiquity to the present day and can be considered a globalizing force in the development of world civilizations. 

The Leiden Slavery Studies Association (LSSA) is dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of slavery and post-slavery in any period and any geographical region. Although primarily rooted within the Institute for History, LSSA provides an interdisciplinary forum for slavery specialists working in various faculties and programs at Leiden University in order to streamline, support, and promote collaboration on teaching, research and outreach projects. It aligns with the research profile of Leiden Global Interactions and builds upon Leiden’s strong tradition in humanities and social-science scholarship on world migrations, globalization, and minority studies. 

The goals of LSSA are to:

• To promote and streamline research and teaching on slavery at Leiden University
• To stimulate collaboration and knowledge transfer between slavery scholars at Leiden University
• To advance Leiden University’s international profile and expertise on slavery scholarship
• To organize events and serve as a contact point for public interest on slavery

Do you wish to keep abreast of our activities? Join our mailing list! Contact Damian Pargas: d.a.pargas@hum.leidenuniv.nl