This session examines the evidence for and implications of environmental changes in Africa south of the Sahara Desert, on short to long timescales. Sub-Saharan Africa is in a critical position with regard to the study of climate shifts, being located at the boundary between tropical, sub-tropical and temperate climate systems, and also between the Atlantic, Indian and Southern Oceans. Climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa is also closely linked to the evolution and migration of modern hominids. However, there is still surprisingly little known about these climate shifts, by comparison with other parts of the world. This inter-disciplinary session seeks to make connections between established researchers in the region and emerging new research using different approaches to address existing knowledge gaps in this exciting region.