From theory to diplomacy: MIRD students present final thesis
On Friday 23 May 2025, second-year students of the Advanced MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) marked a significant academic milestone as they presented their final thesis projects during the annual Thesis Symposium.
The submission and presentation of the final thesis represent a pivotal moment in the MIRD programme. This event is the culmination of the students’ academic efforts throughout the two-year course. During the symposium, it became clear that students were able to skilfully apply their analytical expertise to research with real-world relevance in the fields of international relations and diplomacy.
Throughout twelve panels held over the course of the full-day symposium, students shared their findings with rooms filled with parents, peers, faculty members, thesis supervisors, and friends.
From human rights to digital governance
The panel themes covered a wide array of pressing issues in contemporary global politics, world order and diplomacy. Topics ranged from disinformation, digital repression, and social media content regulation to the political power of technology, all featured within the Digital Governance panel. Meanwhile, the Human Rights panel focused on subjects such as access to humanitarian health programmes, reproductive rights, the gender-environment-peace nexus, and freedom of expression. Other panels explored themes including Global Security, International Law, Political Economy, European Union Policy, and Climate Change.
To reflect the diversity and depth of the topics addressed, the panels were chaired by Prof.dr. Jan Melissen, Dr Graig Klein, Dr Valerie de Koeijier, Dr Gjovalin Macaj, Dr Arash Pourebrahimi, Dr Susann Handke, and Dr Marinko Bobić. The event also benefited from the support of first-year students enrolled in the Alternative Internship Module, who gained hands-on experience in organising and managing a large-scale academic symposium.
Innovative research methods
A defining feature across all student presentations was the effective and thoughtful application of research methods. Students are encouraged to demonstrate their methodological skills and are given the academic freedom to experiment with innovative approaches not explicitly covered in the curriculum. This reflects the spirit of the MIRD programme: academically rigorous, practically oriented, and socially relevant.
Inspiring first-year students
The panels attracted a wide audience, including study coordinators, teaching assistants, and first-year MIRD students, who seized the opportunity to learn from their more advanced peers.
Emin Can Muşkara, first-year MIRD student: 'This symposium was very inspiring—experiencing first-hand the challenges our peers faced and how they utilised the research methods we learned this year in their own theses. I learned many interesting things from the presentations.'
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International Institutions and Governance panel chaired by Dr. Graig Klein with students Kas Avedissian, Marie Wesling, Janneke Pol, Caroline Seil, and Diego Salomão Takahashi -
Migration and Asylum panel chaired by Dr. Arash Pourebrahimi with students Kaavya Jacob, Eva Sansone De Martino, Sarah Marquis, Paul Wabnitz, and Angelina Molchanova -
Negotiation and International Law panel chaired by Dr. Marinko Bobic with students Giacomo Grasso, Elise Webster, Karlijn Tas, Jasmin Ethier, and Nick Donaldson -
Climate Change and Policy panel chaired by Dr. Susann Handke with students Vittoria Capuani, Luyu Zong, Marieke Geurtsen, and Sarah Stuttaford -
Political Economy and Power panel, chaired by Prof. Dr. Jan Melissen with students Juan Esteban Guarin Arellano, Ulrica Oom Lowndes Marques, Anna van der Berg, and Giulio Damiani -
European Union Foreign Policy panel chaired by Prof. Dr. Jan Melissen with students Andreu Sergeat Rabasa, Gabrielle Godard, Ishaansh Singh, Babette van Giersbergen, Sören Schmidt, and Sichun Wang -
First-year student Mr. Emin Can Muşkara thanks the Panel Chair Dr. Graig Klein -
First-year student Mr. Emin Can Muşkara thanks the Panel Chair Professor Dr. Jan Melissen -
Masters of Science Candidate Ms. Sophie Both presenting her final thesis during the Global Security and Conflict Panel
MSc International Relations and Diplomacy
The two-year Advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) programme offers students a unique blend of academic education in international relations and political science with practical graduate education and training in international negotiation and diplomacy. Students attend a wide range of courses, develop their analytical and research skills, take on an internship, write their master’s thesis, and build network with experts in relevant fields. Upon graduation students are prepared to take on positions in international organisations, politics, and diplomacy; or for PhD research.