Summary edit

Gérard Chouin, an Associate Professor at William & Mary, stands out in the academic world for his deep and varied expertise in history, encompassing regions from ancient to modern Africa, the Atlantic World, and periods spanning medieval to early modern Europe. His scholarly pursuits cover an impressive array of thematic areas such as comparative and transnational history, cultural and intellectual history, imperialism and colonialism, environmental history, the French Atlantic, historiography, historical memory, material culture, religion, and the intersections of science and medicine.

Chouin's academic foundation was laid at the University of Paris-I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, where he completed his MA (Maîtrise) and Mphil (DEA) in African History in 1992 and 1993. His early career included significant roles as a lecturer at the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast. His path led him to Syracuse University, where he pursued a Ph.D. in Anthropology/Historical Archaeology, culminating in a dissertation that explored the history and archaeology of Southern Ghana.

Chouin's directorship at the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nigeria) at the University of Ibadan from 2010 to 2013 further honed his research and leadership skills. At William and Mary, he has focused on teaching and researching the medieval to modern histories of Africa, contributing valuable insights and understanding.

One of Chouin's most notable areas of research involves the impacts of diseases on historical societies, particularly his study of the Black Death. His participation in a webinar by the Medieval Academy of America shed light on current research regarding the Black Death, emphasizing its transformative effects on medieval societies in sub-Saharan Africa. This work illustrates Chouin's dedication to uncovering the broader impacts of pandemics and their role in shaping historical trajectories.

Chouin is also recognized for his substantial contributions through his books, which primarily focus on seventeenth-century West Africa in the Atlantic world. His ongoing projects, such as the publication of Jean Godot’s unpublished journey to West Africa in 1701 and Marie-Joseph Bonnat's correspondence from the Niger Delta, highlight his commitment to bringing forth lesser-known historical narratives.

His upcoming manuscript on landscape and history in Southern Ghana (500–1900 AD) is a testament to his multifaceted approach, blending oral traditions, archival materials, travel accounts, and archaeological findings. His leadership in significant archaeological projects like the IFE-SUNGBO Archaeological Project and the ANR-funded GLOBAFRICA project underscores his contributions to understanding Africa's historical complexity and diversity.

Gérard Chouin’s scholarly work, especially his insights into the Black Death's impact on sub-Saharan Africa, underlines his role as a prominent figure in historical academia. His dedication to research and teaching in African history and its intersections with global historical processes has made him a valuable asset to the academic community and a significant contributor to our understanding of history.

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