Martin Nekola, Ph.D. from Prague, Czech Republic, is a distinguished historian focused on the history of the Czech communities abroad. He has been doing research in the archives, libraries and museums of the Czech Republic, European countries, USA and New Zealand for many years. He has interviewed dozens of Czech émigrés and written many articles and papers on this topic. During the pandemic, he was a regular contributor to the website Czechia in Australia, run by the Czech embassy in Canberra. He is the author of twenty-four publications, among them the book about the Czechs of New Zealand (2021) and he also coordinates the project Czechoslovak Talks collecting inspiring life stories of the Czechs abroad (www.czechoslovaktalks.com/en; instagram.com/czechoslovak_talks).

Next, Dr. Nekola would like to come for three weeks in early 2024 to do research at various places in Australia (Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra), where undiscovered archival collections are still to be found. He is especially interested in consulting material related to the Czech immigrants, located at the National Archives of Australia, The National Library of Australia, The Bonegilla Migrant Experience, Museum of History NSW, The State Library of Victoria, and The Western Australian Museum).

Dr. Nekola is also looking forward to visiting Czech clubs (Czech and Slovak Association of WA, Sokol Melbourne, Sokol Sydney, Czechoslovakian Country Club, Beseda, the Czech School of Canberra etc.), to conducting oral history interviews with their members, assisting with digitization of their archives etc.

The outcome of the trip will be series of articles on Czech-Australians, their history, activities, achievements, organizations and periodicals, as well as publishing a book or graphic novel on this subject, written in Czech as well as in English, to attract younger readers in both countries. The project will be beneficial in strengthening Czech-Australian cultural exchange and relationships.

Dr. Nekola is an independent scholar seeking help with his travel and accommodation expenses during his Australian trip. The expected costs will be $ 6,500 AUD (= 4,000 USD) . After the end of the trip, a detailed research report will be submitted.