We understand Low Countries studies to be the scholarly study of the language, cultures, history and society of the Low Countries. The name Low Countries refers to the Netherlands and Belgium, more specifially the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium: Flanders.
The interest in Low Countries Studies is not limited to linguists or literary scholars; we also count historians, art historians and political scientists amongst our members. Anyone with an academic interest in the Low Countries is welcome.
The aims of the Association for Low Countries Studies (ALCS) website are to:
Promote the scholarly study of the language, culture, history and society of the Low Countries.
Encourage research in Low Countries studies.
Increase public awareness of the Low Countries, especially the Dutch language, and Dutch and Flemish culture, history and society.
Represent the interests of Low Countries studies in higher education at national and international level.
We have small capital which helps us to make modest research grants. This capital was made available to the Association as a result of the activities of the William and Mary tercentenary celebrations in 1988 and 1989.
Our annual operarting costs, biennial conferences and other regular activities are covered by grants from the Nederlandse Taalunie.
Occasionally, we receive donations from third parties, for example exhibitors at conferences, charities nad embassies.
Income from membership fees.
The ALCS tries to achieve its aims by:
Organising a biennial international conference.
Organising biennial student days.
organising an international postgraduate colloquium for early researchers in Dutch studies.
Publishing a refereed academic journal Dutch Crossing, a Journal of Low Countries studies, twice a year.
Publishing an occasional series: Crossways.
Making available modest research grants to its members and postgraduate students.
Corporate membership of the University Council for Modern Languages which provide a platform for debate with policy makers in the UK and elsewhere.
Making representations to policy makers in government organisations, institutions of higher education and elsewhere.