Call for Master's Award 2026 Pre-Selection Committee

UniPID and the Finnish Society for Development Research (FSDR) annually award the Master's Award in Development Studies to outstanding theses in the interdisciplinary field of global development research.

We are now inviting members to join this year’s pre-selection committee.

The tasks of the pre-selection committee include:

  • Participating in a meeting (online) to discuss the eligibility of submitted thesis, and reviewing the selection criteria and process (mid-August/September 2026)
  • Reading and rating 4-8 master's thesis according to the predefined criteria. Each thesis will have two readers (September-November 2026)
  • Participating in a meeting (online) to discuss the rating and select three theses to be forwarded to the final selection committee (November 2026)

The eligible members of the pre-selection committee:

The role of a pre-selection committee member is suitable for anyone who are active and interested in the academic discussion within the interdisciplinary field of global development research. Eligible participants include university staff, researchers, and practitioners. Members of the pre-selection committee are expected to hold a master’s degree.

UniPID DocNet and FSDR members are particularly encouraged to join the pre-selection committee, however, participation is not limited to them. When considering participation, please note the following aspects:

  • Serving on the committee can offer valuable work experience for PhD researchers, especially those who may conduct master’s thesis supervision and related academic responsibilities in the future;
  • UniPID and FSDR can issue a certificate for the participation in the committee;
  • PhD researchers are encouraged to consult their supervisors regarding a possibility of receiving study credits for participating in the committee;
  • Reading master’s theses from a wide spectrum of disciplines and fields offers an excellent overview of current discussions in the interdisciplinary development research.

Are you interested in applying for the role? Please complete the application form here by 12 June 2026.

For further information, please contact Meeri Tiensuu ()