Nominees announced for prestigious 2026 Political Science Master's Thesis Prize
Leiden University has announced the names of the students in the running for the 2026 Master's Thesis Prize for Political Science. This prize is awarded annually to students who have written exceptional research during their master's degree program. The nominated theses were selected based on their academic quality, originality, and societal relevance.
The topics of the nominated theses are highly diverse and touch upon current political themes. For instance, research has been conducted on the influence of social media on the voting behavior of young people, the effectiveness of international climate policy, and the changing role of local governments in the Netherlands. The jury has spent the past few months evaluating dozens of submissions to arrive at this final selection.
For the nominated students, the nomination is an important recognition of their hard work. Many of the researched themes offer new insights for policymakers and scientists who deal with the complex challenges of modern society. The theses demonstrate how academic research can contribute to a better understanding of political processes both in the Netherlands and beyond.
The winner of the prize will be announced during a festive gathering at the faculty in Leiden. In addition to a cash prize, the winner will have the opportunity to present the results of their research to experts in the field. The award ceremony is not only a celebration of academic success but also a moment to emphasize the importance of political science research.
With this prize, Leiden University continues to invest in young talent and encourages students to think critically about the world around them. The full list of nominees and the summaries of their theses have now been published on the university's website. The award ceremony will take place later this year.