As an organisation that welcomes researchers from around the world, the EAC seeks high-quality academic works that improve our understanding of expatriate life. The EAC defines ‘expatriate’ as anyone who lives temporarily in a country other than their ‘home’ country. Expatriates as a group tend to ‘fall through the cracks’ when it comes to being represented in official government archives, as well as in global migration studies. With this thesis award, we wish to support critical scholarship that endeavours to shift and expand understandings of what an ‘expatriate’ is. The term ‘expatriate’ can be used to distinguish temporary migrants from more settled migrants. Yet it has long been heavily loaded with classist and racist connotations. Why is it, for example, that a Canadian retiree wintering in Mexico is more readily described in common parlance as an ‘expat’ than a Filipina domestic worker on a temporary contract in Singapore, even though both are temporary migrants?
Instead of choosing a research theme, we ask that submissions engage with the mission and objectives of the EAC. The jurors will choose a submission that amplifies the importance of expatriation studies and improves our understanding of expatriate life. The award jury includes two permanent and three guest jurors who are experts in their field. Read more about the 2024 Thesis Award jury on the Jurors page.
Learn more about applying for the 2024 EAC Thesis Award.
Following the official announcement, the selected thesis for the EAC Thesis Award will receive €500. Additionally, the executive summary of the thesis will be published online by the EAC and organisations involved in this project. Please see the Partner Organisations page for a list of participating organisations.
The executive summaries of top 3 theses applications will be published on the EAC website and promoted via social media channels.
Please direct any questions about the EAC Thesis Award to welcome@xpatarchive.com or call +31 70 427 2014.