BIEA's mission is academic research into the history, archaeology and social sciences of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and the surrounding countries. We initiate and encourage research by individual scholars, working with the universities, museums and antiquities services of the Eastern African countries, and we liaise closely with related scholarly initiatives from around the world. We aim both to increase the research capacity and developed knowledge in the countries in which we work and to raise the levels of academic excellence among UK scholars who are pursuing their research projects in this part of the world. The outcomes support both local development in Eastern Africa and academic excellence at all post-graduate levels in the UK. This leads to an increased understanding within the UK of Eastern Africa's history and social developments, thereby facilitating closer UK relationships and influence patterns in this part of the world.
BIEA manages a research centre and library at its office in Nairobi, headed by a Director and with a permanent staff of 15. We run a busy programme of research projects and events from this centre, acting as a hub for visiting scholars and working in close cooperation with local institutions. The majority of our funding comes from the UK central government, via the Department for Business, Energy, Innovation and Skills national Research budget. We are affiliated with the British Academy in London and our small UK head office is located within the British Academy building. The overall management of BIEA is vested with a Trustee Council of 15 senior academics who are drawn from a cross-section of UK universities with interests in Eastern Africa
