UiO-PRIO Student Programme: Write Your MA Thesis at the PRIO Centre on Culture and Violent Conflict
Are you a University of Oslo (UiO) masters student interested in writing your thesis on a topic related to the INSPIRE project and the PRIO Centre on Culture and Violent Conflict?
Since 2016, the University of Oslo (UiO) and PRIO have been engaged in a strategic partnership. As a vital part of this collaborative relationship, up to ten UiO master's students each year are offered a place in the vibrant, international and interdisciplinary research environment on peace and conflict at PRIO. Students from all UiO faculties and departments are welcome to apply.
To be considered for this programme, your thesis topic must be thematically related to one of our ongoing research projects or relevant to the strategic interests of our individual researchers or groups. A broad set of topic suggestions are listed on the PRIO website.
MA thesis topics especially relevant to the INSPIRE research project and the PRIO Centre on Culture and Violent Conflict:
- Artists and art in the context of war and exile
- The role of storytelling and cultural production or art in conflict/peacebuilding
It is also possible to develop your own idea, although you should do so in consultation with a potential contact person at PRIO. You should be in the second year of your master’s during your time at PRIO.
If your application is successful, you will be affiliated with one of our three research departments. Your work on your master's thesis will be an integral part of PRIO’s research activities. You will be assigned a PRIO researcher as a main contact person, provided with a work station and provided with full access to our facilities on par with regular staff. You are expected to invest ample time and resources into working on your thesis, and we will do our part in supporting you to fulfil your academic potential. PRIO also expects your commitment to academic excellence, relevance and utility for stakeholders, public dissemination and sharing of results, and to PRIO’s overall mission.
The placement is granted for a maximum of nine months. In agreement with your PRIO contact person and the PRIO administration, you may be awarded an additional two-month extension to convert your thesis into an academic article for publication in an international academic journal.
To further invest in developing your professional skills and gain a deeper insight into the activities of a peace research institute, you are encouraged to take on paid part-time work at PRIO (up to one day a week) doing research assistance work, internal work for the institute administration, or related to communication activities. All students will also be offered the chance to participate in a thesis writing workshop run by PRIO’s special adviser on project development and publications, Lynn Nygaard.
The standard spring semester start date for a master’s placement at PRIO is the first Monday in January. The standard autumn semester start date is 1st September. However, start dates and duration of stay (up to a maximum of nine months) are negotiable.
Criteria employed in the selection process are above all academic merit and fit with PRIO’s research agenda. Attention is also given to gender balance and diversity.
The deadline for applying is 28 November, to apply please follow the link on the PRIO website.