Simon Gikandi and Chika Okeke-Agulu elected to British Academy for contributions to the humanities

By Jamie Saxon

Simon Gikandi, the Class of 1943 University Professor of English, and Chika Okeke-Agulu, professor of art and archaeology and African American studies, have been elected corresponding fellows of the British Academy, in recognition of their contribution to the humanities.

Chika Okeke-Agulu
Chika Okeke-Agulu, professor of art and archaeology and African American studies and director of the Program in African Studies. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE-AGULU

Okeke-Agulu is recognized for his work in modern and contemporary African and African diaspora art; classical and traditional African art; postcolonial theory and art criticism; and art and politics.

Simon Gikandi
Simon Gikandi, the Class of 1943 University Professor of English. PHOTO BY DENISE APPLEWHITE

Gikandi is recognized for his work in the literatures and cultures of Africa and its Black Diasporas in the Americas and Europe; cultures, histories and institutions of slavery; literary history and comparative literature; and global modernism.