First pan-African summer school for deaf academics
Researchers from the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) and the University of Ghana are organising the first-ever pan-African summer school for deaf academics from the African continent (from 1 – 15 August).
Breaking down barriers
This unique event is taking place in Accra, Ghana, and is an important milestone in giving upcoming deaf academics the skills and further knowledge to progress and flourish in their chosen careers. The summer school will create new networks, connecting upcoming and established deaf academics from all over Africa and beyond.
Researcher Dr. Victoria Nyst from LUCL explains the significance of the summer school: “The pan-African summer school truly is a unique event. It is very special as it will bring together an exceptional group of talented deaf people who, despite many barriers, have earned a place at a university and are now working towards a BA, MA or PhD degree.”
Essential training for deaf academics
During the summer school participants will learn more about state-of-the-art academic research on deafness and sign language linguistics, such as sign language literature, automated video analysis for the study of sign languages and the construction of sign language dictionaries, to name just a few.
The majority of the lecturers at the summer school are prominent, international deaf lecturers, who not only serve as role models but also teach their courses in a sign language, without the need for an interpreter. Teaching, training and networking during this event is crucial for deaf academics to be able to play leading roles, not only within the deaf community, but especially in society as a whole.
For more information about this event please visit the Leiden Deaf Studies summer school website.