African Studies Centre Master's Thesis Award, Netherlands, 05/03

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER

Any final-year student who has completed his/her Master's study with distinction at a university in the Netherlands or in Africa can be awarded the ASC Master's thesis prize and stipend of Ä 1000 and Ä 3000 respectively. The thesis, in Dutch, English or French, must be based on independent empirical research related to Africa in one of the subjects listed in the following section. It must have been examined within one year prior to the deadline for submitting manuscripts (see below). Work that has already won a prize elsewhere cannot be considered for this award.

The ASC specifically encourages students from Africa to submit their theses for this annual competition.

The award

This annual award has been set up by the African Studies Centre in Leiden, the Netherlands and aims to encourage student research and writing on Africa, and to promote the study of African cultures and societies. It will be presented to a student whose Master's thesis has been completed on the basis of research conducted on Africa. The award may also be granted to any other final-year piece of work in the form of film, video or CD Rom that presents a clear analysis of an issue relating to Africa. (The term 'thesis' is also used to include these other forms of scientific reporting.) The award consists of a prize for the winning thesis and the publication of the work in the ASC Research Report series. In addition, a stipend is available to cover the costs of a possible period of follow-up research.

Subject of the thesis

Any thesis thematically related to socio-geographical, economic, political, historical, juridical or anthropological issues or focusing on the humanities (with the exception of language, literature and/or semiotic studies) can be submitted. In terms of geographical focus, the award is limited to Sub-Saharan Africa and its migrant communities elsewhere in the world.

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 original approaches 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 with regard to development-related issues and its interest for the general public.

Subject of the follow-up research

Once an award has been granted, the author will be invited to submit plans for a specified period of follow-up research. The subject of that research must comply, both in thematic as well as in geographical terms, with the above-mentioned limitations. Separate guidelines have been drawn up concerning the follow-up research proposal and the budgeting of the Ä 3,000 award.

How to submit a thesis

If a student or his/her supervisor feels that a thesis merits an award because of its high quality and originality, the thesis as well as a summary of a maximum of 500 words should be submitted to the African Studies Centre Awards Committee. Applicants based in the Netherlands are requested to submit two copies of their thesis (on paper) and those based in Africa may send their thesis by email. All manuscripts will be returned to their authors. Details about the educational institution from which the student has graduated and written confirmation from the student's supervisor about the high quality of the thesis are also required. The applicant's email address must be included so that receipt of the thesis can be acknowledged by email.

Time schedule

The annual deadline for the submission of theses is 1 May. The jury will announce its decision at the beginning of September and the official presentation of the award will be made by the Director of the African Studies Centre during a formal ceremony in October. The winner will be invited to present his/her work at a seminar at the ASC. A date will be set for submitting a follow-up research proposal if the candidate is interested in accepting the stipend reserved for that purpose. The decision of the jury is final and no correspondence will be entered into concerning this decision.

The jury

Jos van Beurden MA, research journalist (chair) Evelyn A. Ankumah (Director of Africa Legal Aid), jurist Dr Rijk van Dijk (African Studies Centre), anthropologist Prof. Sjaak van der Geest (University of Amsterdam), professor of anthropology Mindanda Mohogu MA, economist Prof. Mohamed A. Salih (Institute of Social Studies), professor of politics of development Dr Klaas van Walraven (African Studies Centre), political scientist Marieke van Winden (African Studies Centre) (secretary)

Further information

For more information or queries regarding the submission of a thesis, please contact the secretary of the Awards Committee, Ms Marieke van Winden at

African Studies Centre P.O. Box 9555 2300 RB Leiden The Netherlands

Tel. +31 71 527 3358 Fax +31 71 527 3344 E-mail: winden@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

Or visit the ASC Master's Thesis Award web folder at http://asc.leidenuniv.nl/award/

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar