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
  • Seabron Adamson; “The Costs of Controlling Carbon Emissions from the U.S. Electric Power Sector Using Demand and Supply-side Technologies;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Lene Andersen; “Ocean Iron Fertilization as Greenhouse Mitigation: A Question of Ecology and Ethics?;” SM, 1992 (9/1/1991)
  • Michael Berube; “Integrating Environment into Business Management: A Study of Supplier Relationships in the Computer Industry;” SM, 1992 (2/1/1992)
  • Jean-Stephane Bonneton; “Financial EDI in france: The Innovation Process and Strategic and Policy Issues;” SM, 1992 (2/1/1992)
  • Jane Boon; “Product Variations, Quality, and Productivity: A Cost-Benefit Analysis;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Hilary Coller; “Policy Implications of Mutational Spectrometry;” SM, 1992 (9/1/1991)
  • M. Tunde Fafunwa; “A Failure to Communicate: Economic and Political Factors Affecting the Growth of Telecommunication Services in Nigeria;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Rafael Fuentes; “Orimulsion A New Fuel: A Systemic Approach to Orimulsion's Performance in the Context of Electric Power Systems;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Frank Gillett; “The Integrating Supplier: A Study of an Auto Industry Supplier's Relations Across Several Customers;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Michael Goldstein; “Cleaning Up The Federal Superfund Program: A Systems Thinking Approach Toward Analyzing Priority-Setting and Resource Allocation Issues;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Bhavya Lal; “A Framework for Incorporating Best Practices at Nuclear Power Plants;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Lola Lohr; “Design for Environment: An Analysis of German Recycling Legislation and Its Implications for Materials Trends and Corporate Strategies in the Automobile Industry;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Robert Margolis; “Using Energy-Economic-Environmental Models in the Climate Change Policy Process;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Kazuyoshi Matsunaga; “Evaluation of the Process of Multilateral Negotiation by Using Cognitive Mapping;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Ross McNutt; “Orbiting Space Debris: Dangers, Measurement and Mitigation;” SM, 1992 (2/1/1992)
  • James Moses; “A Design Assistant for Induction Motors;” SM, 1992 (9/1/1991)
  • Lee Newman; “The Performance of Learning Curve Strategies in a Disequilibrium Environment with Dynamic Demand;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Fuyuhiko Nishimura; “Benefit Optimization of Electric Energy Exchange in a Deregulated Multi-Utility Environment;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Angel Palacios; “The Emergence of Photonic Network Technology Under a Techno-Economic Paradigm Shift;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Lisa Prosser; “Pharmaceutical Research and Development: The Effect of Increased Competition on Human Resource Strategies;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Dominic Rodrigues; “The Green Product Index: An Environment and HealthImpact Matrix for Manufactured Products;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Michael Rookwood; “Going With The Wind: A Socially Viable Alternative for Generating Electricity in the UK;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Sandra Rothenberg; “Design and Implementation of Environmental Management Structures: Using Congruence Theory as an Analytic Framework;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Steven Schondorf; “Systems Engineering for A Mars Micro-Rover;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Michael Sullivan; “Environmental Life Cycle Frameworks: Industry Management of Product Innovation and Environmental;” SM, 1992 (5/1/1992)
  • Henry Taylor; “Solid waste management: decision and market dilemmas;” SM, 1992 (2/1/1992)
  • Stephen Thomas; “Modular Gas-Cooled Reactor Economics: The Application of Contingent-Claims Analysis;” SM, 1992 (2/1/1992)
  • Christopher Tucci; “Incorporating Manufacturing and Cost Accounting into the Design Process of Induction Motors;” SM, 1992 (2/1/1992)
  • Damon Wells; “France and Japan in Space: Niche Market Players, with Evolving Assets and Roles;” SM, 1992 (9/1/1991)

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