Course content

The master’s thesis is an independent research project carried out under supervision and in accordance with recognised standards for research ethics. The topic must be relevant to humanitarian response, health, and displacement and should be developed in consultation with the supervisor(s). The thesis enables students to specialise in a chosen area, drawing on multidisciplinary methodologies and empirical research linked to humanitarian contexts.

Students will formulate a research question, prepare a project description, review the relevant scientific literature, and design and conduct a research project, including cooperation with partner organisations when applicable. The work may involve collecting empirical data in one of the HumanResponse partner countries, following appropriate methodological and ethical procedures and recognising the specificities of research in humanitarian settings.

Throughout the thesis period, students will deepen their methodological knowledge and strengthen their ability to integrate theoretical frameworks, methodological choices, and empirical data. They will further develop competencies in data analysis and academic writing. Students will also participate in dissertation seminars with faculty from the seven universities in the HumanResponse consortium, presenting their research plan and preliminary findings and receiving feedback. The final thesis must follow a systematic academic structure (e.g., IMRaD) and demonstrate a theoretically grounded and empirically supported contribution to the field of coordinated humanitarian response.

Learning outcome

After completing the master’s thesis, the student should be able to:

Knowledge

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of scientific research in coordinated humanitarian response, health, and displacement
• explain theoretical and methodological approaches relevant to humanitarian research in national and international contexts
• account for ethical, contextual, and multidisciplinary considerations involved in conducting research in humanitarian settings

Skills

• formulate a clear and feasible research question relevant to coordinated humanitarian response
• design and carry out a research project using appropriate methodological and analytical approaches
• critically review and synthesise scientific literature to develop a coherent theoretical framework
• collect / manage and analyse data in accordance with recognised standards for research ethics and research quality
• justify methodological and analytical choices and discuss findings in relation to existing research
• communicate research results effectively in academic writing and through oral presentation

General competence

• complete an independent, theoretically grounded and empirically supported research project in collaboration with supervisors and, where relevant, humanitarian partner organisations
• reflect critically on the theoretical, methodological, ethical, and practical dimensions of conducting research in humanitarian contexts
• contribute to knowledge development in the field of coordinated humanitarian response through a well-structured and scientifically rigorous thesis
• communicate research results to academic and professional audiences

Learning methods and activities

The student is entitled to individual supervision in accordance with programme regulations. The main NTNU supervisor must be employed in an academic position at NTNU and hold a PhD or equivalent competence. Additional supervisors from partner institutions may be included as needed.

Students must submit a supervision agreement containing a detailed project description, timeline, and budget (maximum 10 pages) before beginning the thesis work.

The thesis work includes:

• individual supervision throughout the research and writing process
• independent work on literature review, theoretical framing, data collection/management, data analysis, and academic writing
• participation in jointly organised dissertation seminars with faculty from the seven HumanResponse universities
• oral presentation of the research plan and preliminary findings, with academic discussion and feedback
• collaboration with humanitarian partner organisations for data collection, when relevant

The thesis must be written in English.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

None.

Required previous knowledge

The student must be admitted to the Erasmus Mundus Master in Coordinated Humanitarian Response, Health and Displacement (HumanResponse or MSHUMRES). All compulsory coursework in the programme must be completed and passed before the thesis is submitted.

Course materials

There is no mandatory course textbook or required reading. Recommended resources will be provided to students individually during supervision or via Canvas.