The EAC exists to facilitate quality research that promotes and enhances a better understanding of expatriate life. We are located in The Netherlands but have a global outreach. We count more than 130 family archives from 14 nationalities in 120 countries in our holdings, and we hope to add many more in the coming years.

Welcoming submissions for the 2024 EAC Thesis Award

The Expatriate Archive Centre (EAC) invites master’s students worldwide to submit theses that contribute to the scholarship of expatriation studies.

Our Mission

To collect and preserve the life stories of expatriates worldwide for future research.

Our Objectives

• To curate and preserve unique source material documenting the experiences of expatriates of all nationalities and backgrounds;
• To establish a centre of excellence for expatriation research;
• To give the life stories of expatriates their rightful place in global migration history.

The winner of the thesis award will receive €500, the executive summary of the thesis will be published online by the EAC and organisations involved in this initiative.

Candidates must ensure their thesis meets the following criteria:

• should relate to the EAC’s mission and objectives;
• written in English;
• has been awarded a mark of 8/10 or more (or equivalent, e.g., 16/20 or more, or an ‘A’);
• is from the 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, or 2022–23 academic year.

The following criteria are used to assess submitted theses, the weight of each in percentages: originality and innovation (20%); technical quality (30%); composition (10%); potential for contributing to the stimulation of scholarly (e.g. theoretical, methodological, etc.) perspectives regarding the Award theme (20%); potential for contributing to the stimulation of practical engagement by policy, industry and/or civil society actors with the Award theme (20%).

To apply, please submit the digital application form.

If you want to know more about the evaluation process, the jurors, how to apply or our partner organisations, visit the EAC Thesis Award page. Questions can be sent to welcome@xpatarchive.com.