Three Minutes, One Thesis: A Showcase of Student Research at
Sciences Po

After conducting research for at least four months, writing it up, and submitting their Master’s thesis for one of the programs at the Sciences Po School of Public Affairs, students gathered to present their findings in just three minutes. In front of their peers, Professor Bruno Palier, and invited guests, they summarized complex research projects with clarity and focus. The Master’s Thesis Conference, which lasted three hours, was initiated, organized, and moderated by Johanna Elbel, a recent graduate of the Master in Public Policy and Global Health, who had just completed her own thesis.

In the final semester at Sciences Po, students may choose to write a thesis (French: mémoire), a substantial research project conducted under the guidance of a supervisor. It is a product of months of data collection, analysis, and writing, limited to 25,000 words. On these pages, students not only present their results but also reflect on their assumptions and motivations. The thesis concludes with policy recommendations, and some of the best works are published on the School of Public Affairs website. 

“The conference allowed us to learn from each other. Over the past months, we became experts in our respective topics, and I was truly interested in hearing about my peers’ work. We valued each other’s efforts, showed genuine interest, and gave each presentation the attention it deserved.” (Johanna Elbel, Master in Public Policy and Global Health)

The conference provided a unique opportunity for students from various policy streams to exchange perspectives and learn from one another. Topics ranged from European to global challenges, including digitalization, wargaming, European industrial policy, migration, electronic waste and recycling, access to medicines, telework and sleep inequality, and European development and employment banks.

Interdisciplinarity is a core element of the Sciences Po experience, and this event exemplified that approach. By critically engaging with each other’s work, students honed their research skills and experienced firsthand how academia is shaped by dialogue, feedback, and peer exchange. The Master’s Thesis Conference gave participants a glimpse into the academic world - a possible future for some.

A challenging format was chosen: three minutes, with a maximum of three slides. Inspired by the “Three Minute Thesis” competitions held by PhD students around the world, this format pushed Master’s students to distill several months of work into a concise and compelling presentation. Each presentation ended with a short outlook on what lies ahead.

So, what’s next? PhD applications, transitions to the private sector, internships, and travel.

Students shared their plans for the future after two intensive years at Sciences Po, Paris.

“Doors are open, paths vary and multiply, and we trust that we are all prepared to choose the right one!” (Mira Hartmann, Master in European Affairs and Global Health)

Article written by Johanna Elbel, Master in Public Policy
and Global Health.