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

ALL 1977 1978 1979
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
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1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015
  • David Anderson; “(Title not found in MIT Libraries on line search!!);” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Maria Bosquet; “A Knowledge-based Approach Toward Integrating International On-Line Databases;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Richard Byrnes; “Ship Producibility: Navy Practices and Options;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Bertil Chappuis; “The Organization of Pharmaceutical Innovation: Implications for Technology Policies in Puerto Rico;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Ronald Chu; “Demand-Side Load Management by Energy Cooperatives: An Evaluation on Group Action to Provide Peak Demand Relief;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Stephen Connors; “Integrated Resource Planning as a Tool for Technical Mediation: A Case Study in Electric Power Planning;” SM, 1989 (2/1/1989)
  • Erin Craig; “Hazardous Waste Treatment Facility Siting: Explaining the Communicative Breakdown and Creating Future Possibilities;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Jennifer Croissant; “The Process of Technological change: A Study of Geographic Information Systems Development;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Thierry de Rycke; “Is There An Optimal Power Purchase for Electric Utility Companies?;” SM, 1989 (9/1/1988)
  • Miguel Dembinski; “Integrated Energy Systems: An Analysis of Natural Gas Consumption and Electricity Generation in Oklahoma;” SM, 1989 (9/1/1988)
  • Steven Farber; “Aspartame and the Regulation of Food Additives: A Study of FDA Decision-Making and a Proposal for Change;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Ajit Kambil; “The Impact of Information Technology on Vertical Integration: Empirical Examination and Policy Implications;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Bryan Moser; “Toyota in Kentucky: the Computer's Role as Political Agent in Regional Analysis;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Dava Newman; “The Environment of a Space Experiment: Experimental Design and Policy Analysis;” SM, 1989 (2/1/1989)
  • David O'Dowd; “The Advancement of Analytical Techniques and their Impact on Therapeutic Drug Approval;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Imtiaz Rahaman; “A Project Approach to the Exploitation of Trinidad and Tobago's Natural Gas Reserves;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Daljit Singh; “The Application of On-Line Monitoring Systems for Transformers to Enhance the Reliability of Power Systems: Policy Issues in the U.S. and India;” SM, 1989 (2/1/1989)
  • Francois Valraud; “On the Evolution of Functionality in Distributed Systems;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)
  • Qiang Xue; “Chinese Motor Vehicle Industry: Technology Strategy for the Future;” SM, 1989 (2/1/1989)
  • Randi Zielinski-Curier; “Reducing Hazards From Household Products: The Failure of Labeling and the Potential of Education;” SM, 1989 (5/1/1989)

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