Tim Longman on the Threat to African Studies and U.S. Soft Power
Professor Tim Longman, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of International Relations and Political Science at the Pardee School of Global Studies, was quoted in an article written by Julian Pecquet for The Africa Report, published on November 24, 2025. The U.S. has historically invested in language and area studies programs to build global understanding and strategic relationships, particularly during the Cold War. However today, Pecquet writes, many of these programs—especially those focused on Africa—face steep cuts under the Trump administration and Republican-led states, threatening decades of academic and diplomatic progress. Longman expressed his remorse, “We, as a topic, are being treated as DEI. And as though Africa doesn’t matter.”
Longman describes a “dire situation” at universities across the country: departments being eliminated, faculty being fired, and DEI offices closed. The cuts are compounded by slashed federal funding, including $100 million eliminated from 22 cultural exchange programs such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship and reductions in the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. As acting treasurer, he noted on the recent annual meeting of the African Studies Association (ASA), the world’s largest gathering of Africa scholars, whcih took place in Atlanta, Georgia. “In general, the theme of this conference has been people talking about how bad things are at their universities, because there are so many attacks on higher education right now,” Longman told The Africa Report.
He emphasizes that these programs are vital not only for education but for America’s soft power: they foster relationships that create goodwill, support trade, and strengthen diplomatic ties. The dismantling of African-focused programs, Longman warns, leaves the U.S. increasingly isolated in the Global South and less able to compete economically and culturally. He shared,
Those kinds of relationships create a good feeling about the U.S. and its products, its people and the like. It creates all sorts of social capital … for business, travelers, religious institutions and the government.
The cuts also ripple through universities’ budgets, leading institutions to prioritize revenue-generating programs over international education. Longman’s perspective underscores a growing concern among scholars: without strategic support for African studies and foreign language programs, the U.S. risks weakening its global presence and influence.
The full article by Julian Pecquet can be read here.
Professor Timothy Longman‘s current research focuses on state-society relations in Africa, looking particularly at human rights, transitional justice, democratization, civil society, the politics of race and ethnicity, religion and politics, and women and politics. He has published two books based on his research in Rwanda: Christianity and Genocide in Rwanda (Cambridge University Press 2011), and Memory and Justice in Post-Genocide Rwanda (Cambridge University Press 2017). Read more about Professor Longman on his faculty profile.