Patrick Dramé

Patrick Dramé is a Full Professor in the Department of History at Université de Sherbrooke, specializing in African history and its relationship with Europe. His work focuses on imperialism, colonialism, decolonization, and post-colonial relations between Africa and Europe, with particular attention to Senegal and French West Africa.

Dramé earned his doctorate from Université Paris-IV Sorbonne in 2003 with a thesis on France, Senegal, and the defense of French West Africa from 1918 to 1940. He also holds a DEA (Diplôme d'Études Approfondies) and a Master's degree from the same institution, with specializations in contemporary geopolitics and African history.

His research interests span contemporary European history, African history, slavery, imperialism and colonialism, decolonization and post-colonialism, and international relations from the 19th to 20th centuries. Dramé's work particularly examines pan-Africanism, colonial order maintenance in French West and Equatorial Africa, political violence and memory work in Guinea, and political and identity construction in Senegal.

His publications reveal a consistent focus on colonial military history, decolonization processes, and memory politics in postcolonial Africa. The articles demonstrate his expertise in French colonial administration, African resistance movements, and the complex legacies of colonialism that continue to shape contemporary African politics and society.

• Prix des Experts-histoire (2011) for best book on French gendarmerie history
• Prix d'histoire militaire du ministère français de la défense (2004)

Dramé has secured significant research funding, including a $99,841 CRSH Savoir grant (2018-2023) for research on colonial control in Oubangui-Chari and a $52,821 CRSH Development grant (2015-2017) on political violence and memory construction in Guinea. He is actively involved in multiple research networks including ÉRIAS, RÉRA, GEMPA, RICODE, GIHRIC, GRIQUÈRE, and GRHG, demonstrating his collaborative approach to African historical studies.

He leads research on colonial policing, memory politics, and pan-Africanism through his participation in these various research collectives, contributing significantly to the understanding of Africa's complex historical trajectories from colonialism to contemporary nation-building.