African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL) 2023 Africa Thesis Award

he award aims to encourage student research and writing on Africa and to promote the study of African cultures and societies. It is presented annually to a student whose Masters thesis has been completed based on research conducted on Africa. The award consists of a prize of €500,- and publication of the winning thesis in the ASCL’s African Studies Collection. All theses submitted will be made available full text online via the ASCL’s library catalogue.

• Table of Content
• About African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL)
• Africa Thesis Award
• Aim and Benefits of Africa Thesis Award
• Requirements for Africa Thesis Award Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Africa Thesis Award
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL)

The African Studies Centre Leiden is the only multidisciplinary academic knowledge institute in the Netherlands devoted entirely to the study of Africa. It has an excellent library that is open to the general public. The ASCL is an interfaculty institute of Leiden University.

Africa Thesis Award

Aim and Benefits of Africa Thesis Award

The award consists of a prize of € 500,- and publication of the winning thesis in the ASCL’s African Studies Collection. 

Requirements for Africa Thesis Award Qualification

Master students who completed their thesis at a university on the African continent or in the Netherlands between 31 August 2022 and 31 August 2023 can apply. Students in the Netherlands must have received an 8 out of 10 or above. Students from non-Dutch universities with a grade A (or equivalent) may apply if the accompanying letter from the supervisor confirms the thesis’ excellence and supports the grade score.

• The thesis: The thesis has to be based on independent empirical research related to Africa in one of the subjects listed in the following section and must have been examined in twelve months before the deadline for submitting manuscripts (see below). 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.
• 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 except language and/or semiotic studies, can be submitted. Its geographical focus should be the continent of Africa or its migrant communities elsewhere. The thesis must be socially relevant.
• Quality of the thesis: The ASCL seeks to attract theses that stand out in subject matter and demonstrate a sound methodological approach. The jury attaches importance to an original approach and insight, and to the relevance of the research to a scientific understanding of the issues covered. In addition, the jury will consider the significance of the thesis about development-related issues, its style, and readability, and its interest in the general public.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Africa Thesis Award

Selection: 

A shortlist of three will be drawn up from which the jury will select the winning thesis. The prize is presented to the winner during the Africa Thesis Award Ceremony in 2023, where the winner will present his/her/their thesis.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

If a student or his/her supervisor feels that his/her Masters thesis merits an award because of its quality and originality, the thesis may be submitted. Every submission must include:

• An electronic version of the thesis (to be sent by email)
• A summary of the thesis (max. 500 words)
• A signed letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor containing the grade and details of the quality of the thesis and the educational institution from which the student has graduated

Applications that are not complete will not be processed. All documents can be sent to [email protected].

For more details, visit ASCL website.