The Africa Thesis Award

The Award

Are you interested in Sub-Saharan Africa and is your Masters thesis on a related subject? If so, the African Studies Centre (ASC) in Leiden is offering you the chance to win €1000 in its Africa Thesis Award!

The award aims to encourage student research and writing on Sub-Saharan Africa and to promote the study of African cultures and societies. It is presented annually to a student whose Masters thesis has been completed on the basis of research conducted on Africa.

The award consists of a prize of €1000 for the winning thesis. The winning thesis will be published in the ASC African Studies Collection. Submitted theses may be (partially) published on The Broker's website: www.thebrokeronline.eu.
 

Who can apply 

Any final-year student who has completed his/her Masters thesis with distinction (80% or higher or a Dutch rating of at least 8) at a university in Africa or the Netherlands can apply. The thesis has to be based on independent empirical research related to Sub-Saharan Africa in one of the subjects listed in the following section and must have been examined within one year prior to the deadline for submitting manuscripts (see below).
The ASC specifically encourage students from Sub-Saharan Africa to submit their theses for this annual competition.
 

 Lire la version française

You can download the 2009 leaflet here.

Subject of the thesis 

Any thesis thematically related to socio-geographical, economic, political, juridical or anthropological issues or focusing on the humanities such as history, religion and literature (but with the exception of language and/or semiotic studies) can be submitted. Its geographical focus should be on Sub-Saharan Africa or its migrant communities elsewhere in the world. The thesis must be socially relevant.

How to submit a thesis 

If a student or his/her supervisor feels that a Masters thesis merits an award because of its high quality and originality, the thesis should be submitted either to the ASC Awards Committee. Every submission must include:

• a signed letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor containing the grade and details about the quality of the thesis and the educational institution from which the student has graduated, and
• a copy of the thesis as well as a summary of a maximum of 500 words.

Applicants based in the Netherlands are requested to submit 2 hard copies and an electronic copy of their thesis. Those based in Africa are welcome to send an electronic version of their thesis by email. If a hard copy of the thesis is submitted, the applicant’s email address must also be included.

The application will not be processed if it is incomplete.

Where to submit a thesis 

The thesis can be submitted if it is written in English, French or Dutch. If the thesis is in Dutch, a five-page English or French summary should also be attached.

Quality of the thesis 

The ASC seeks to attract theses that demonstrate a high quality with regard to the subject matter of the research as well as the way the research has been conducted. The jury attaches importance to an original approach and insight, and the relevance of the research to a scientific understanding of the issues covered. In addition, the jury will consider the significance of the thesis in relation to development-related issues and its interest for the general public.

Time schedule 

This year’s deadline for the submission of theses is 16 June 2009. From all the entries a shortlist of three theses will be drawn up from which a joint jury will select the winning thesis. The jury will announce the final three nominees, and subsequently the winning thesis. The prize will be presented to the winner during an ASC seminar where the winner will present his/her thesis.

The jury 

The following researchers are on the jury of the 2009 Africa Thesis Award:

1. Prof. Meine Pieter van Dijk (Erasmus University),  (chair)
2. Catherine Cissé-van den Muijsenbergh MA (human rights expert)
3. Dr. Jan Kees van Donge (African Studies Centre)
4. Dr. Jan-Bart Gewald (African Studies Centre)
5. Nelke van der Lans MA (SANPAD)
   
   Ms. Gitty Petit MA (ASC) (secretary)

The jury's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Further information 

For more information or queries regarding the submission of a thesis, please contact Ms Gitty Petit, the secretary of the ASC Awards Committee:
African Studies Centre (ASC)
P.O. Box 9555
2300 RB Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)71 527 3376
Fax: +31(0) 71 527 3344
www.ascleiden.nl
E-mail: petitg@ascleiden.nl

The African Studies Centre (ASC) is an independent scientific institute that generates and disseminates knowledge on Africa. The ASC’s main aim is to promote a better understanding and insight into historical, current and future societal developments in Sub-Saharan Africa. It publishes books and articles, organizes seminars and has an extensive library that is open to the general public.

Winner 2008
Winner 2007
Winner 2006
Winner 2005
Winner 2004
Winner 2003
 

2008 winner: Janneke Barten