From the jury report: 'In addition to her insightful theoretical arguments and careful analysis, the winner is commended for applying an original methodological approach to the research question. The use of fuzzy set analysis has furthermore implied the construction of a new and comprehensive dataset, as ready-made data on this subject are not available. The dataset has great potential also for future research as it encompasses all 14 cases of humanitarian crises and includes details of the coding on all (dependent and independent) variables. The winner tackles an extremely interesting and politically relevant subject from a solid theoretical and methodological perspective. She critically and creatively engages with the academic literature, covering a broad spectrum of approaches in the field of international relations and establishes relationships between the various perspectives that have previously been underestimated or ignored. The way in which she deals with the theoretical discussion is impressive and demonstrates a notable degree of academic maturity'.

The Jury has decided to award the 2010 MA thesis prize in Political Science to:

Elbrich Algra: Pursuing Material Interests, Domestic Influence, or ‘Saving Strangers’? Explaining the Selectivity in US Humanitarian Interventions.

Read the full juryreport.