He is particularly interested in the theory of historical evidence and in non-documentary forms of historical sources. His work focuses on the intellectual and cultural history of modern West Africa and he has turned to the tools of CESTA to help explore the connections between West African universities, their growing independence from European and North American institutions, and their impact on the political and social life of the region. His other research involves the relationship between ritual and identity, and the place of West African intellectuals in the global history of ideas.