Researchers are encouraged to explore social and cultural complexities across the world. They may focus on areas of study that capture their interest, such as religion and belief, inequality and marginalisation, activism and social transformation, gender and sexuality, or contemporary popular culture.

The PhD programmes are typically completed within three years full-time or six years part-time, while Masters-level research programmes are undertaken over one year full-time or two years part-time. The maximum registration period for a PhD includes an additional year known as the "thesis awaited" period, during which candidates usually carry out final revisions under occasional supervision.

The Department of African Studies and Anthropology (DASA) is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in research and postgraduate training. Students benefit from the department’s internationally diverse staff, interdisciplinary approach, wide-ranging expertise, and active research community.

Academics in the Department of African Studies and Anthropology supervise research projects that draw on archival, ethnographic, textual, and media sources.

The department offers thematic expertise in areas such as migration and diasporas, religion and society, economic inequality and insecurity, youth, urban life, popular culture, kinship, gender, and sexuality.