Ramzi Abou-Ismail, University of Kent

The winner for the Best Dissertation Award 2024 is Dr. Ramzi Abou-Ismail (University of Kent). While we received numerous very strong nominations and in the evaluation process read a number of excellent dissertations, we found that Ramzi Abou-Ismail’s dissertation “The Structure of Collective Violence Beliefs: Scale Development, Predictors, and Outcomes” stood out. In addition to theoretical innovations and methodological rigour, we focused on the societal relevance of the research in our assessment. In his outstanding dissertation, Ramzi Abou-Ismail, bridging social identity and dual process model approaches, developed a scale on collective violence beliefs. The scale looks at both outgroup members and leaders and was tested in Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, three non-WEIRD countries (non-White, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic) as well as the United States. The findings have implications for peace-building and development of interventions to prevent collective violence. Moreover, the new, innovative instrument can be readily used in future research.

Honorable Mentions

Beatriz Besen, University of São Paulo

We also recognise two honourable mentions for dissertations of Dr. Beatriz Besen (University of São Paulo, now visiting researcher at Barcelona Center of Discoursive studies) “Nos limiares do(a) político(a): (des/re)construindo trajetórias e narrativas de jovens ativistas das Direitas Radicais no Brasil e na Alemanha” and Dr. Naima Green-Riley (Harvard University, now assistant professor at Princeton University) “How to Win Friends and Influence People Overseas:  The U.S., China, and the Microfoundations of Public Diplomacy.”

Naima Green-Riley, Princeton University

We also recognise two honourable mentions for dissertations of Dr. Beatriz Besen (University of São Paulo, now visiting researcher at Barcelona Center of Discoursive studies) “Nos limiares do(a) político(a): (des/re)construindo trajetórias e narrativas de jovens ativistas das Direitas Radicais no Brasil e na Alemanha” and Dr. Naima Green-Riley (Harvard University, now assistant professor at Princeton University) “How to Win Friends and Influence People Overseas:  The U.S., China, and the Microfoundations of Public Diplomacy.”