MIT Technology and Policy Program

Theses

TPP student research spans many domains, but shares methodologies and goals. Examples of award-winning theses and noteworthy research projects are shared here. We also maintain a public database of all TPP thesis titles, with links to web publications where available.

Award-Winning Theses and Student Research Stories

2023 Thesis Prize Winner

  • Maja Svanberg; “The Economic Advantage of Computer Vision Over Human Labor, and Its Market Implications” (2023). Advisor(s): Neil Thompson.

2022 Thesis Prize Winners

2021 Thesis Prize Winner

Karan Bhuwalka, recent TPP alum who won best thesis in 2021, reflects on TPP’s interdisciplinary approach and bringing data science, manufacturing, and social issues together in his research on the materials that make up electric vehicles.

Do native ads shape our perception of the news?: Manon Revel

Often masquerading as legitimate news, so-called “native” ads, pushed by content recommendation networks, have brought badly needed revenue to the struggling U.S. news industry. But at what cost? TPP alum Manon Revel is now a PhD student in the IDSS Social and Engineering Systems PhD program. Her TPP thesis advisor was Prof. Ali Jadbabaie.

Health Savings of Renewable Energy: Emil Dimanchev

Research from TPP alum Emil Dimanchev, who won TPP’s best thesis award in 2019, found that health savings from cleaner air would more than pay for the cost of implementing renewable energy policies. His thesis was advised by TPP director Noelle Selin.

Thesis Database

Thesis Titles, 1977 to 2015

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2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015
  • Thomas Davidson; “Demolition Wastes: Quantities Generated, Size Distribution of Materials, and General Considerations for Resource Recovery;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • William Dunbar; “Energy Conservation Information Programs: What the U.S. Can Learn from Canada and France;” SM, 1979 (2/1/1979)
  • Joseph Egan; “Technological Determinism and the Social Production of Engineers;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Patricia Foley; “A Supply Curve for Domestic Primary Copper Industry;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Loren Hall; “Federal Efforts to Commercialize Aspects of the Inherently Safe Mining Systems Development Program;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • David Hanrahan; “Planning for Planning in Hazardous Waste Management;” SM, 1979 (2/1/1979)
  • J. Richard Hornby; “As Assessment of Government Policies to Promote Investments in Energy Conserving Technologies;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Tapio Kuusinen; “Use of Decision Analysis in Formulating Hazardous Waste Materials Policy for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Craig Miller; “The Use of Ecomonic Incentives to Encourage Noise Abatement: The Airport Operator's Perspective;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Elizabeth Mulcahy-Chehayl; “Batching: An Alternative Methodology for Certificate of Need Review;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Miren Salsamendi; “Electron Microscope Analysis of Minerals and Additives in Coal;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Mark Sillman; “Low Cost, 100% Solar Space Heat: Analysis of Systems Designs and Its Significance for Long-Range Energy Alternatives;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Tatsujiro Suzuki; “The Role of Technological Choices in International Fuel Assurance Strategies;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)
  • Richard Thomas; “Considerations in Solar Power Satellite Receiving Antenna Siting;” SM, 1979 (5/1/1979)

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