Patrice Wangen, alumnus of the MSc European Studies (research master) has been awarded the Daniel Heinsius Prize for the best MA thesis in political science in Belgium and the Netherlands. The Daniel Heinsius Prize was awarded by a jury composed of members of the Belgian and Dutch Political Science Associations. Wangen’s thesis was selected for its originality, methodological rigour and and empirical richness.
Out of 16 nominated theses with a grade of 8 or higher, the thesis by Wangen was selected. Patrice Wangen graduated cum laude in 2014 with a thesis on “Normative Power Europe, or mere Geopolitics and Self-Interest? Determinants of the EU’s choice for civilian and military missions 2003-2013”. The thesis supervisors were Dr. Giselle Bosse and prof. Hans Schmeets. Wangen was also awarded the Dies Natalis Prize for Best Master Thesis by Maastricht University in January 2015. Patrice Wangen is currently a PhD student at the prestigious European University Institute in Florence.
The Daniel Heinsius Prize was awarded in Maastricht on 11 June 2015 during the annual Political Science Conference, organized by the Department of Political Science of Maastricht University and attended by over 150 political scientists from Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond.
Prof. Maarten Vink, programme director of the MSc European Studies, congratulates both Patrice Wangen and his two supervisors. “This prize has significant pedigree. Many of todays leading political scientists who have studied in Belgium or the Netherlands have won this important prize before Patrice. This is a promise of a great academic career and an important international recognition of the quality of the theses delivered by our research master students.”
