Research practice

Research internship at MACAS comprises Master’s Thesis Development I-II and Independent Graduate Study I-II. Its goal is to immerse students in typical elements of everyday academic practice and to foster their research skills, including their capacity to work independently, keep to a research schedule, and respect deadlines. During Master’s Thesis Development I-II are welcome to discuss with the leaders of the seminar any issue related to the topic, research and writing up of their MA theses. The seminar is meant to provide an ongoing workshop in which students can test, experiment with, and explore the formulations and key components of their thesis. Independent Graduate Study I and II unroll according to a working plan or a syllabus established by the student and the MA thesis supervisor and approved by the head of the program. 

Students in Master’s Thesis Development II present their work at two MACAS workshops – comprised of AUCA faculty and graduate students focused on the Central Asian region – and at a CASI seminar or graduate student conference, the aim being to provide students experience in publicly presenting their work, distilling it, and responding to questions and criticism from scholars with knowledge and expertise in the Central Asian field.

Academia Meets the World is a series of events. It comprises one or two workshops per year organized by MACAS at which the students meet outstanding area specialists (journalists, government officials, officers of international organizations, analysts, etc.) and discuss with them the skills required for specific career paths. MACAS students also have the occasion to extend and enrich their knowledge about the professional world and build networks by joining the career fairs organized by the university as well as by attending the experts’ talks organized year-round by the various departments, “The Ambassadors Talk” series held by the department of International and Comparative Politics being an especially outstanding one.