Eric Essono Tsimi

Eric Essono Tsimi serves as an Assistant Professor in the Modern Languages and Comparative Literature Department at the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, Baruch College, City University of New York. He joined the department in 2020 and is also affiliated with the Black and Latino Studies Department. Professor Tsimi coordinates the DEI Fridays Program and serves on the Joint Committee on Research and as Representative to the Marxe School of Public & International Affairs.

• Ph.D., French Studies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
• Doctorate, African Literature & Cultural Psychology, Université Grenoble-Alpes / University of Lausanne, Switzerland
• M.A., Intercultural Communication, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland

Professor Tsimi's research centers on the intersections of literature, politics, cultural anthropology, and philosophy, with a particular focus on Africa, Francophone Worlds, and African Diasporas. His work explores decolonial critique, race and ethnicity in Francophone contexts, African literature, and identity politics. His ideas have been featured in prominent media outlets including Le Monde, Jeune Afrique, African Arguments, and The Conversation, demonstrating the broad impact of his scholarship beyond academia.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on decolonial theory, African literary production, and critical race studies. The works demonstrate a trajectory from analyzing African literature's place within global literary canons to exploring counter-utopian narratives and the philosophical implications of race and identity. His scholarship bridges academic rigor with public engagement, addressing contemporary issues of racialization, identity politics, and cultural production in Francophone contexts.

• Humboldt Fellowship for Experienced Researchers
• CUNY Scholar Incentive Award
• Eugene Lang Fellowship
• Faculty Fellowship Publication Program (FFPP)
• Paula Berggren Enrichment Fund Award
• PSC-CUNY Award

Professor Tsimi maintains an active research agenda supported by multiple competitive grants, including the PSC CUNY 52 grant for "De quoi la littérature africaine est-elle la littérature: Vers une critique décoloniale" (2021-2023) and the Eugene Lang Fellowship for "A Comparative Approach to the Decolonial Epistemologies in the Twenty-First Century Africa" (2023-2024). His scholarly output is remarkable, with ten authored books spanning monographs, fiction, and non-fiction pieces, alongside numerous journal articles and book chapters. As a regular keynote speaker at conferences, he actively contributes to academic discourse in his fields of expertise.