By Yunus S Saliu
Gambian scholarship has received international recognition following the election of renowned historian, curator, and Director General of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Hassoum Ceesay, ORG, as an International Fellow of the British Academy (FBA).
The announcement, published by the British Academy, recognizes Ceesay’s outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences, particularly in the fields of Gambian and African history. He is among 92 distinguished scholars from around the world elected as Fellows of the British Academy in 2026.
The British Academy, established in 1902, is the United Kingdom’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. Election to its Fellowship is regarded as one of the highest academic honours in these disciplines, reserved for scholars who have attained international distinction through their research and intellectual contributions.
Among those elected alongside Ceesay are renowned anthropologist Professor Lila Abu-Lughod of Columbia University, Professor John Arnold, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, and the Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, the Rt. Hon. Dame Siobhan Keegan KC.
In her congratulatory message, the President of the British Academy, Professor Susan J. Smith, FBA, described the honour as a significant mark of scholarly distinction.
“Fellows of the Academy represent the very best of humanities and social sciences research, in the UK and globally. Only one or two scholars a year are elected in most fields, so this is a significant mark of distinction, and we offer our sincere congratulations,” she stated.
Hassoum Ceesay’s research has focused extensively on Gambian and African history, with particular emphasis on biographical scholarship. His publications have helped promote a deeper understanding of the contributions of women to Gambian history while bringing overlooked historical figures and events into mainstream historical discourse.
Reacting to his election, Mr. Ceesay described the Fellowship as both a personal honour and a responsibility to further strengthen scholarship that addresses contemporary societal challenges.
“The British Academy is the acme of scholarly recognition, and my Fellowship is more than a personal honour for my contribution to the humanities and social sciences. It is also a call to duty: to continue using the Academy’s vast network, resources and platforms to strengthen the relevance of my research and publications in addressing pressing national and international challenges such as women’s and children’s empowerment, poverty alleviation and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Over the years, Hassoum Ceesay has established himself as one of The Gambia’s foremost historians, with numerous publications documenting the country’s political, cultural and social history. His work has played a significant role in preserving The Gambia’s historical heritage and promoting greater appreciation of the country’s rich cultural legacy.
His election to the British Academy represents a major milestone not only in his distinguished academic career but also for Gambian scholarship, placing the country’s historical research and intellectual contributions on one of the world’s most prestigious academic platforms.