Dealing with Elusive Futures

... with the editors

1. Why a book on this subject?

Very consciously, the different contributions of the edited volume study young people having obtained a university degree and therewith provide a vivid picture of often underrepresented actors within youth studies. We argue that this focus offers important new insights into the topic of being young and socially growing up, both in Africa and beyond. In addition, the case studies covering various African contexts are enriched with visual impressions produced by photo students from Bamako, Mali.

2. What relevance does this subject have in the current research debates?

By researching future-oriented activities of young graduates we argue that we can frame »social becoming« that is also relevant for adults or elders. For this reason, it may not be accurate to frame them as young people only waiting for adulthood. Our perspective suggests that we are confronted with a new way of being and becoming somebody because young people tame the future by doing adulthood in different spheres of social life.

3. What new perspectives does your book open up?

This edited volume accepts the challenge to depict young graduates' future-creating activities in different urban contexts of sub-Saharan Africa by including a methodological question. Since doing research on the future - even if this is on a future deeply embedded in, or in conjunction with, the present – hints to a methodological challenge: how can we study something that is not tangible, something that evades our grasp and yet shapes the life of individuals?

4. Who would you preferably like to discuss your book with?

With young graduates, with junior or senior researchers from African Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Development Studies ...

5. Your book in only one sentence:

This edited volume provides a deepening of current contributions within youth studies on Africa by focusing on underrepresented actors: young graduates.