The University of Oxford is set to host a major British Academy Conference titled Achebe Redivivus: Remapping a Field on July 3-4, 2025, bringing together an international roster of scholars to revisit the life, work, and legacy of Chinua Achebe.

Held at All Souls College, the two-day event is organized by Dr. Terri Ochiagha (University of Edinburgh/University of Oxford). The conference will offer new insights into Achebe’s role as both a literary and political figure, exploring themes such as modernism, gender, nationalism, and archival practice.

The first day, themed Achebe in Context, will feature panels on Achebe’s literary influences, editorial work, and public reception. Discussions will span topics from Achebe’s engagement with Igbo folktales and Onitsha Market Literature to his influence on the African Writers Series and his portrayal in the Nigerian press. Opening remarks will be delivered by Professor Dame Marina Warner and Dr. Ochiagha.

Day two, Achebe Redivivus: Remapping a Field, will take the form of roundtable discussions on Achebe’s canonicity, the limitations of conventional critical frames, and the role of archives in African literary scholarship. The programme will close with concluding remarks from Dr. Ochiagha.

Featuring speakers from institutions such as Yale University, Baruch College (CUNY), the University of Denver, and the University of Liège, the conference will provide a rare opportunity to hear from both established scholars and emerging voices. Participants will reflect on how Achebe’s work continues to resonate and evolve in the context of postcolonial studies, world literature, and beyond.

By re-evaluating Achebe’s legacy through fresh theoretical and methodological perspectives, the conference aims to reinvigorate Achebe studies and establish new models for interpreting postcolonial literary history.

The in-person conference is open only to confirmed speakers, Fellows of All Souls College, and members of the University of Oxford. However, the sessions will be streamed online, allowing a wider audience to engage with the program remotely.

Registration is now open for in-person and online tickets.

If you have any questions about this event please refer to the British Academy’s Events FAQs or email [email protected].