Examples of Successfully Defended MA Theses

Day, Hannah. “Conceptual Problems in the Study of Populism: Normativity, Contestability, and Plurality.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2022.

• Conceptual thesis with a clearly formulated research puzzle
• Excellent literature review chapter that demonstrates a high degree of self-reflexivity and sophisticated understanding of debates in political theory

Blichfeldt, Viktor Jørgen. “Dancing with the devil: the populist radical right of Georgia and its Russian affinity.” MA diss., Ilia State University, 2023. 

• Clarity with which the research question is presented: the author doesn’t just state the puzzle but dissects it, offering readers a thorough understanding of its dimensions
• Methodology section is systematic and robust, detailing the processes, tools, and rationale behind the chosen methods, which lends credibility to the subsequent findings
• Structured flow, engaging prose, and judicious use of academic jargon ensure that it remains accessible to both experts and non-specialists alike

Gray, Niall Marcus. “Kremlin Calling?: An Investigation Into the Geopolitical Narratives of Selected European Radical Right Parties Regarding Russia.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2020.

• Systematises a large amount of data in a coherent way
• Very well written, the sections are logically ordered, and the chapters flow well together

Gugelmann, Mélody. “Exploring Visions of Inclusion: Women’s Disability Activism in Georgia.” MA diss., Ilia State University, 2022.

• Tackles an original and complex research puzzle
• Rich qualitative data are analysed in very nuanced and insightful ways using the concepts and frameworks outlined in the theoretical chapter

Howells, Owen. “Cooperation, Conflict and Co-Option: Defining Relationships Between the Royal Dictatorships of South Eastern Europe and the Far-Right During the Interbellum.” MA diss., Corvinus University of Budapest, 2020.

• Intelligent reading of secondary sources
• Comparative perspective brings new insights and nuances to our understanding of the topic

Kilpatrick, Robert. “The role of media instrumentalization in the wealth defence strategies of oligarchic systems: the case of Ukraine.“ 

• Rsearch puzzle is clearly formulated and grounded in both the empirical context and theoretical scholarship
• Research questions are relevant, original, and cohere well with the research puzzle
• Literature review demonstrates an excellent engagement with the existing scholarly literature on the topic and skilfully synthesises the key approaches and debates in the field

Klochko, Polina. “The dynamics of liberal media discourse on the Middle Eastern migration crises: the case of Gazeta Wyborcza in 2015 and 2021.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2023.

• Innovative research methods that makes use of a range of AI tools (automated R-based analysis with subsequent frame analysis within cross-temporal comparison and qualitative interpretation)

Martignolles, Tanguy. “Using Art to Negotiate Georgian Sexual Nationalism: An Example of the Film “And Then We Danced” (2019).” MA diss., Ilia State University, 2023. 

• The choice of topic, particularly focusing on the juxtaposition of art and national identity in the context of sexual nationalism in Georgia, is unique and insightful
• Utilising a recent film as a central example makes the work timely and pertinent

Modebadze, Eva. “Queering Security: (In)securitisation and Resistance of the LGBTQ Community in Poland.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2020.

• Clearly and persuasively articulated contribution to the topic
• Empirically rich analysis based on ethnographic research data collected by the author
• Skilfully balances academic research and social activism on a sensitive topic

Napier, Elliott. “It’s Half Being Queer, and Half Just Wanting to Leave:” Queer Migration in Kazakhstan.” MA diss., KIMEP University, 2022.

• Research makes an original contribution to an understudied field
• Analysis is based on very rich original research data collected by the author
• Careful consideration of research ethics related to studying a vulnerable social group

Nikko, Juho. “The Commemorations of the 30th Anniversary of the Fall of Communism in Poland – A Fractured Memory Regime.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2020.

• Demonstrates a high level of knowledge and understanding about the topic
• Thesis is written in a very clear, engaging, and logical way, which makes the arguments easy to follow

Palupi, Talitha. “Russian Twitter diplomacy in Indonesia and Malaysia before and after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.”  MA diss., KIMEP University, 2023.

• Chapters are cohesive and the work follows a logical structure
• The theoretical framing is integrated throughout the analysis so the different chapters of the dissertation cohere very nicely

Perkis, Amy. ““Acts of translation”: travelling postmemory of the holocaust in Ukraine.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2023.

• Has a clear research puzzle, coherent set of theoretically-informed research questions, and a tightly focused topic of study
• Conclusions are focused and provide complex answers to the research questions

Pfeilschifter, Veronika. “Righting the Wrong? Illustrating and Understanding Post-Authoritarian Transitional Justice in Georgia and Armenia.” MA diss., Ilia State University, 2021.

• Theoretically ambitious thesis that attempts to converge two existing frameworks and engage in theory-testing
• Very systematic and thorough examination of the study topic

Poff, Meghan. “Negotiating ‘Serbia’ and ‘Europe’ Amidst the Politics of Nationalism and Europeanization: An Exploration of Identity Contestation and Utilization within the LGBT Movement in Serbia.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2022.

• Ambitious thesis that draws persuasive conclusions, while being aware of the limits of generalisations within the scope of the study
• Strong awareness of ethical considerations and the author’s own positionality
• Maintains a strong focus on the research puzzle, research questions, and theoretical framing of the topic throughout all of the chapters

Rudenko, Oleksii. “The Classical Reception, Royal Image and Strengthening the King’s Power in Early Modern Poland (1520–1572).” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2020.

• Impressive breadth of research across multiple libraries and archives
• Rigorous and nuanced analysis of sources materials in multiple languages from the region

Segar, Rhiannon. “The Value in Those You Know: Dimensions of Social Capital in COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Among Ethnic and Religious Minority Groups in Georgia.” MA diss., Ilia State University, 2022.

• Well-structured and well-researched theoretical and conceptual frameworks which draw on and contribute to the existing literature
• Research puzzle is embedded in theoretical frames and the thesis draws theoretical conclusions emanating from empirical findings
• Makes a noteworthy empirical contribution by drawing on original ethnographic interview data and photos from fieldwork

Simpson, Daniel Colm. “The self-perception of Uyghur youth in Almaty.” MA diss., KIMEP University, 2023.

• Theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich examination of the self-identifications and acculturation strategies of Uyghurs in Almaty
• Choice of methods is well justified and presented in a meticulous manner
• Goes beyond just addressing a “gap” in the literature and is also able to make an original contribution to an underdeveloped field of research

Tafforin, Lucie. “Challenging narratives on bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan: the case of women’s non-governmental organisations.” MA diss., KIMEP University, 2023. 

• Logically structured and written in a very clear manner. It is based on in-depth research, a thorough literature review and a clear methodology
• The dissertation has high levels of originality, presenting views of respondents that are seldom heard 

Trosclair, Bria. ““I’m not afraid to say that I want to achieve something with this:” Contemporary Art as Roma Activism in Budapest.” MA diss., Corvinus University Budapest, 2023.

• Depicts a nuanced and detailed picture of identity construction through an analysis of physical and digital art exhibitions, as well as expert interviews with practitioners from the fields of contemporary art, Romani cultural heritage, museum curation, and Romani activism
• Places a strong emphasis on self-reflection and the positionality of the researcher as part of the research process, which is highly appropriate for the topic and approach

Vijverberg, Iris. “The impact of urban protest in post-socialist Tbilisi: beyond the binary of success/failure.” MA diss., Ilia State University, 2023.

• Comparative analysis provides valuable insights into the various factors that contribute to the success and failures of urban social movements
• Detailed methodological description offers a transparent view into the data collection methods, which is integral for the validation of research findings.  

Zahorodniuk, Dmytro. “Painting the dragon: China’s image in Polish media during the Covid-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020.” MA diss., Jagiellonian University, 2023.

• Comphrenesive review of existing literature and excellent research design
• The combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to the research problem allowed for arriving at robust conclusions