In 1967, Duffy published one of the most scathing critiques of contemporary Portuguese colonialism. This work, A Question of Slavery: Labour Policies in Portuguese Africa and the British Protest 1850-1920, focused on the enduring issues of slavery and forced labour within the Portuguese Empire, making it the central theme of his critique. Published by Oxford University Press, this pioneering book continues to inspire contemporary debates about the nature of Portuguese colonialism in Africa, particularly regarding racism and the exploitation of indigenous labour. It highlights how the African population, legally subjected to forms of forced labour until at least 1961, endured conditions that often amounted to slavery—or semi-slavery—in Portuguese colonies well into the early 20th century.

In addition to these influential works, which are widely recognised by Portuguese academic audiences, James Duffy authored several other texts on African history and politics. For instance, in 1961, alongside Robert A. Manners, he co-authored the collective work Africa Speaks, which focused on African political issues, particularly European decolonisation and the struggles of African nations for independence. This book was published by the D. Van Nostrand Company and released simultaneously in the United States and Canada. Another notable contribution was Duffy’s participation in Africa: A Foreign Affairs Reader, edited by Philip W. Quigg in 1964. This volume featured 24 contributions from international academics and prominent figures in politics and culture, including African leaders such as Senghor, Sékou Touré, and Kwame Nkrumah.

Due to his expertise in African history, Duffy was frequently consulted by the US State Department on matters relating to Portuguese Africa. He was also among the founding members of the African Studies Association (ASA). Founded in 1957, the African Studies Association (ASA) initially brought together only North American academics but has since become one of the most reputable global associations for Africanists. Between 1967 and 1968, James Duffy served as President of the ASA and later as its Executive Secretary from 1969 to 1980. Thanks to Duffy’s leadership, the ASA not only overcame a significant crisis that had shaken its structures in the late 1960s but also expanded its membership and grew into a worldwide organisation, despite its base being in the United States. On 16 October 1980, at the final meeting of the ASA chaired by Duffy, Larry W. Bowman, another prominent Africanist, publicly honoured him, recognising his crucial role in the consolidation, affirmation, and growth of the association.

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