The Africa Thesis Award

The Award

The jury is pleased to announce winner of the Africa Thesis Award 2011:
Michael Stasik - DISCOnnections. Popular Music Audiences in Freetown, Sierra Leone
He presented his thesis on 8 December. For more information click here.

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, which will be published in the ASC African Studies Collection. All the theses submitted will be accessible via the ASC library's catalogue and may also 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.
 

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Winner 2011
Winner 2010
Winner 2009
Winner 2008
Winner 2007
Winner 2006
Winner 2005
Winner 2004
Winner 2003



2011 winner: Michael Stasik and chair Harry Wels

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.

Quality of the thesis 

The ASC seeks to attract theses that stand out in terms of subject matter and demonstrate a sound methodological approach. 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.

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 to the ASC. 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, and
• an electronic version of the thesis by email.

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.

Time schedule 

This year’s deadline for the submission of theses is 15 June 2012. 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 2012 Africa Thesis Award:

1. Dr. Harry Wels (VU University, Amsterdam), (chair)
2. Albert Bek (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)
3. Dr. Ineke van Kessel (African Studies Centre)
4. Alice Kubo MA (Child Helpline International)
5. Dr. Bridget O'Laughlin (International Institute of Social Studies)

Correspondence can be sent to: asc@ascleiden.nl (attention of Trudi Blomsma BA).

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 Trudi Blomsma, 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: asc@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.

Photo by Samory Kabba

Photo by Michael Stasik

Photo by Michael Stasik