Surveying the Terrain: A Diagnostic of African Studies Research in Seychelles, 2021–2026

African Studies research conducted within the continent is crucial for decolonising knowledge production and ensuring contextual relevance. However, the state of such research in small island states, particularly within the Indian Ocean region, remains under-documented and poorly understood. This survey provides a diagnostic assessment of the African Studies research landscape in Seychelles. Its objectives are to map the current scope of research activity, identify systemic challenges faced by scholars and institutions, and evaluate future prospects for the field's development. A mixed-methods survey was administered to a purposive sample of academics, postgraduate students, and research-active professionals affiliated with national institutions. The instrument combined closed-ended questions on capacity and output with open-ended questions probing perceptions and barriers. A dominant theme was the acute scarcity of dedicated funding, cited by 87% of respondents as the principal constraint. Research output is heavily skewed towards short-term consultancy reports rather than long-term scholarly programmes. Furthermore, a significant disconnect exists between local research priorities and the thematic focus of international funding bodies. The field of African Studies locally is characterised by fragmented activity and structural vulnerabilities that hinder its growth and sustainability. Without targeted intervention, its capacity to contribute meaningfully to pan-African scholarly discourse and local policy formulation remains limited. Establish a national research fund with a dedicated stream for African Studies. Develop formal collaborative networks with continental research institutions to enhance capacity and resource sharing. Integrate African Studies more explicitly into national research and higher education policy frameworks. African Studies, research capacity, knowledge production, small island states, Seychelles, survey research This paper provides the first systematic, empirical analysis of the African Studies research ecosystem in Seychelles, establishing a baseline dataset and identifying specific, actionable policy levers for its development.