Pan-African Research
Coalition – Institute (PAC-I)
A Global Network for Research, Learning, and Action
The Pan-African Research Coalition – Institute (PAC-I) is a flagship initiative of the HBCU Africa Education Coalition (HAEC), established to advance collaborative, justice-centered research across Africa and the Black Diaspora. Rooted in equity, partnership, and impact, PAC-I brings together universities, scholars, students, and community organizations to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Black communities globally.
Across Africa and around the world, communities are navigating increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, including educational inequities, workforce gaps, housing insecurity, public health crises, climate-driven displacement, and systemic injustice. While universities are uniquely positioned to generate solutions, institutional silos and limited resources often hinder collaboration and collective impact. PAC-I emerges as a strategic response to this reality.
PAC-I convenes a vibrant, interdisciplinary network of institutions committed to advancing research, experiential learning, and community engagement that responds directly to societal needs. By fostering inclusive academic ecosystems, the Institute empowers faculty, students, and administrators to co-create knowledge, share resources, and build enduring cross-institutional relationships across borders.
Vision
A global coalition where universities and community partners co-create transformative research and learning experiences that advance equity and strengthen connections across the African continent and the Black Diaspora.
Mission
To facilitate interdisciplinary, justice-centered research collaborations, experiential learning, and policy engagement that deliver real-world impact for Black communities globally.
Purpose
To bridge academic inquiry and community leadership through research that deepens understanding, fosters innovation, and delivers actionable solutions across five priority focus areas.
Learn About Our Research Initiatives
Foundation and Scholarship
PAC-I builds upon foundational scholarship including:
- Examining the Impact of a Pan-African Study Abroad Program Model in Promoting Pan-Africanism and Global Competency Skills Among University Students of African Descent (Booker Ammah, Walls, & Walls, 2022)
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A Study Abroad Manual: For Promoting Pan-African Consciousness and Action (Booker Ammah, Sow, Walls, & Walls, 2023)
In response to the authors’ recommendations, HAEC collaboratively launched PAC-I in April 2025, establishing the Institute in Ghana, West Africa, at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB).
Location
PAC-I is headquartered at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB), Ghana, serving as a central hub for research coordination across Africa and the Diaspora.
