Applied Research Seminar poster session on 13 December. Click on image for more photos.

This week on Thursday 20 December and last week on 13 December, all second year Master in Development Studies candidates are presenting the results of their Applied Research Seminars during poster sessions at the Rothschild building. During the Applied Research Seminars, students work in teams on real research projects commissioned by international, non-governmental or private sector organisations.

“My experience in the Applied Research Seminar was very challenging”, said Paola Victoria, a student from Colombia. “However, it is only the most difficult experiences that are truly rewarding. Not only does it provide valuable work experience and force you to work as part of a team, but it also confronts you with trying to put academic theory into practice”, she said.

Gilles Carbonnier, Professor of Development Economics at the Institute and head of the Applied Research Seminar in Conflict and Development said this part of the Development Studies Master is also valuable for the partner organisations. “These research projects can provide new analytical framework that organisations can apply to their activities while others are more hands on and can further current initiatives that organisations are already undertaking”, he said.

Some of the partner organisations this year were the International Labour Organisation, Geneva Call, the UN agencies UNITAR, UNCTAD, UNRISD, UNDP, as well as WWF, the International Federation and Committee of the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders and the International Catholic Migration Commission. Some of the subjects of the projects this year were microfinance, climate change, non-state armed groups, and sustainable agriculture. Previous partners also included Thompson-Reuters, Procter & Gamble, and Kuoni as well as the State of Geneva.

“The numerous international and non-governmental organisations, and private sector entities in Geneva really provides our students with a wide range of opportunities for applied research”, said Geremia Cometti, PhD student and teaching assistant.

The Applied Research Seminar will become a compulsory part of the Master in International Affairs programme from autumn 2013.