There is no African Studies Centre at Stirling, but substantial teaching and research in the field of African Studies is carried on in two departments of the University, English Studies and History. (The African interests of a third department, Sociology, have faded since the departure of Professor Max Marwick in 1974.)

The Department of English Studies has a strong interest in the general field of Commonwealth literature, as well as specifically in African literature. The only specialist in African literature on the teaching staff is Dr. Alastair Niven, who is at present working on two introductory books dealing with East African and West African writing in English; but there are also several other members of the department who have at some time worked in African universities and who retain an interest in Africa.