ABOUT AISSS
A Research Hub for African Security
Established at Texas Southern University, AISSS bridges scholarship and policy to advance peace, stability, and U.S.–Africa security cooperation.
Our Mission
The African Institute for Strategic Security Studies (AISSS) is dedicated to advancing peace and regional stability in Africa through rigorous research, policy analysis, and strategic dialogue. We generate evidence-based insights that inform decision-makers in government, civil society, and the private sector across the United States and Africa.
Our Vision
A secure, stable, and prosperous Africa that is a full partner in global security and development — and a United States that understands, engages, and benefits from that partnership.
What We Do
Research
Producing rigorous, peer-reviewed analysis on African security challenges and their global implications.
Training
Building capacity among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers through workshops, fellowships, and technical assistance.
Policy Innovation
Translating research findings into actionable policy recommendations for U.S. and African decision-makers.
Dialogue
Convening forums, roundtables, and lecture series that bring together diverse voices on African security.
Our History
AISSS was founded at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Drawing on TSU's historic mission of serving underrepresented communities and its location in one of America's most diverse cities, AISSS was created to fill a critical gap: a research institution that centers African perspectives on African security challenges while connecting those perspectives to U.S. policy and global security debates.
Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is a historically Black university (HBCU) in Houston, Texas, with a proud tradition of academic excellence, public service, and social justice. The Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs — home to AISSS — carries forward the legacy of two of Houston's most distinguished public servants, preparing the next generation of leaders for careers in government, policy, and public administration.
3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004
