NISPAcee Best Student Paper Award
The purpose of the Best Graduate Student Paper Award competition is to recognise a graduate student who demonstrates the ability to produce a high quality research paper presented during the NISPAcee Annual Conference.
2. Description of the Award
The award for the Best Graduate Student Paper was first announced in 2005, during the 13th NISPAcee Annual Conference. The winner is presented with a certificate and the paper is published in a NISPAcee publication.
3. Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for the competition, a conference participant should meet the following criteria:
• be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate degree programme,
• be from the NISPAcee region; the paper should also be focused on the NISPAcee region,
• the paper abstract must be accepted by one of the annual NISPAcee conference’s working groups or working sessions,
• be registered for the NISPAcee conference,
• present the accepted paper at the NISPAcee conference,
• submit the full paper prior to the NISPAcee conference within the official conference deadline for submission of full papers.
Papers written in co-authorship with other graduate students are allowed, providing they meet the eligibility criteria. In this case, it is also necessary to submit a confirmation regarding the co-author status.
4. Submission Process
In order to participate in the competition, a student must indicate her/his interest in the application, with a paper proposal for the upcoming NISPAcee conference and complete in the NISPAcee database and application module, the following data:
1. First and last name.
2. Title of the paper.
4. Degree programme.3. Institutional affiliation.
5. CV.
6. In addition, the applicant must submit to the NISPAcee Headquarters, confirmation regarding her/his study, issued by the relevant university. The letter should also include an e-mail address and phone number for the academic adviser or department head.
The deadline for submitting the application is the same as the official deadline for the submission of papers for the conference. The paper should be uploaded to the NISPAcee website as a regular conference paper; members of the Selection Committee will identify it based on the application.
5. Award Committee
The NISPAcee Steering Committee appoints members and a Chairperson for the Best Graduate Student Paper Award Selection Committee.
6. Criteria for Selection
In selecting the best graduate student paper, the Selection Committee members will use the following criteria:
• the paper addresses an important public sector issue;
• good research design;
• quality and significance of the research;
• high-quality data collection methods and analysis where appropriate;
• originality, clarity and sophistication of argument;
• overall professional organisation of the paper (style, footnotes, bibliography) and meeting of the Essential Criteria for Winning the Best Student Paper Award
described in the Annex below.
The Selection Committee, at its discretion, may establish other criteria.
7. Announcement of Award
The winner of the Best Graduate Student Paper Award is announced during the Closing Session of the NISPAcee annual conference.
Annex: Essential Criteria for Winning the Best Student Paper Award
To be considered for the Best Student Paper Award, the paper must adhere to academic standards that demonstrate the student's rigorous approach to their research topic. This entails a clear alignment between the title and its content, ensuring the subject matter indicated by the title reflects the research conducted.
Introduction:
The introduction should not only define the research topic but also emphasize its relevance to public administration/policy/management. It should clearly articulate the research problem and the objectives the study aims to achieve. Additionally, an effective introduction presents an overview of the student's methodological approach and significant contributions made throughout the research process.
Research Questions and Ambitions:
The paper should pose well-formulated research questions that are explicitly stated and directly relate to the research ambitions. These questions should challenge the author to move beyond mere description to include analysis, explanation, and evaluation. The formulation of these questions should guide the research in a way that the findings address and fulfill the stated ambitions.
Conceptual Framework and Literature Review:
Candidates should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature and current findings related to their topic. This involves:
1. Defining and linking key concepts and theories used within the thesis to broader conceptual frameworks and approaches learned during the course of study.
2. Reviewing and summarizing significant research findings related to their topic, from which they should derive informed hypotheses or expectations.
Methodology:
The paper should clearly outline the approaches and techniques employed in the research, along with a rationale for the selection of cases and data sources. The thesis should reflect a thoughtful and reflective approach to the choice of methodology, ensuring that the research techniques align well with the goals of the thesis.
Results:
The paper should transcend the recapitulation of existing knowledge by incorporating the student's own analysis and conclusions. This may involve empirical analyses, including secondary analysis of public data sets or policy documents, which must adhere strictly to the methodology established in earlier sections.
Conclusion:
The paper should reach a robust conclusion that synthesizes the findings and addresses the research questions posed initially. This section should highlight the student's key contributions to the field and discuss both the strengths and limitations of the research
To be considered for the Best Student Paper Award, the paper must adhere to academic standards that demonstrate the student's rigorous approach to their research topic. This entails a clear alignment between the title and its content, ensuring the subject matter indicated by the title reflects the research conducted.
Introduction:
The introduction should not only define the research topic but also emphasize its relevance to public administration/policy/management. It should clearly articulate the research problem and the objectives the study aims to achieve. Additionally, an effective introduction presents an overview of the student's methodological approach and significant contributions made throughout the research process.
Research Questions and Ambitions:
The paper should pose well-formulated research questions that are explicitly stated and directly relate to the research ambitions. These questions should challenge the author to move beyond mere description to include analysis, explanation, and evaluation. The formulation of these questions should guide the research in a way that the findings address and fulfill the stated ambitions.
Conceptual Framework and Literature Review:
Candidates should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature and current findings related to their topic. This involves:
1. Defining and linking key concepts and theories used within the thesis to broader conceptual frameworks and approaches learned during the course of study.
2. Reviewing and summarizing significant research findings related to their topic, from which they should derive informed hypotheses or expectations.
Methodology:
The paper should clearly outline the approaches and techniques employed in the research, along with a rationale for the selection of cases and data sources. The thesis should reflect a thoughtful and reflective approach to the choice of methodology, ensuring that the research techniques align well with the goals of the thesis.
Results:
The paper should transcend the recapitulation of existing knowledge by incorporating the student's own analysis and conclusions. This may involve empirical analyses, including secondary analysis of public data sets or policy documents, which must adhere strictly to the methodology established in earlier sections.
Conclusion:
The paper should reach a robust conclusion that synthesizes the findings and addresses the research questions posed initially. This section should highlight the student's key contributions to the field and discuss both the strengths and limitations of the research
AWARDS
Steven Nõmmik, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia for his paper:
Cross-organisational collaboration management of digital innovation in
the public sector – the case of the Estonian Employment Register
Ms. Alexandra Columban, Babes-Bolyai University, Department of Public Administration and Management, Romania
Paper: From Silent Witness to Vocal Advocate. The Role of Civil Society Organisations in Promoting Gender Equality and Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls in Post-2010 Romania
Ms. Evgeniia Kutergina, Higher School of Economics, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Ms. Urša Jeretina, Faculty of Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Paper: Administrative Aspect of Consumer Alternative Dispute Resolution in the EU, Slovenia and Croatia
AWARD 2021
Steven Nõmmik, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia for his paper:
Cross-organisational collaboration management of digital innovation in
the public sector – the case of the Estonian Employment Register AWARD 2019
Ms. Alexandra Columban, Babes-Bolyai University, Department of Public Administration and Management, RomaniaPaper: From Silent Witness to Vocal Advocate. The Role of Civil Society Organisations in Promoting Gender Equality and Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls in Post-2010 Romania
AWARD 2018
Mr. Moldovan Octavian, Department of Public Administration and Management, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Paper: The Development Regions of Romania and Local Revenue Collection Levels between 2008 and 2011
Paper: The Development Regions of Romania and Local Revenue Collection Levels between 2008 and 2011
AWARD 2017
Ms. Evgeniia Kutergina, Higher School of Economics, St. Petersburg, Russian FederationPaper: Computer-Based Simulation Games in Public
Administration Education
AWARD 2016
Ms. Urša Jeretina, Faculty of Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SloveniaPaper: Administrative Aspect of Consumer Alternative Dispute Resolution in the EU, Slovenia and Croatia
AWARD 2015
Mr. Tarmo Puolokainen and Mrs. Annika Jaansoo, PhD students at Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Paper „Possibilities of providing public services threough outsourcing in small peripheral areas: The case of Estonian Rescue Services".
AWARD 2014
Ms. Palina Prysmakova, PhD student at Florida International University, Miami, USA
Paper: Chinese Loans for Infrastructure Projects in Developing Countries: The Connection between Short-Term Payoffs to the Chinese Local Governments and Long-Term Obligations of the Belarusian Nation
AWARD 2013
Ms. Palina Prysmakova, PhD student at Florida International University, Miami, USA
Paper: Public Service Motivation in Europe: Testing Attitudes toward Work Motives
AWARD 2012
Mr. Ionut-Bogdan Berceanu, Romania, PhD student at National School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest, Romania
Paper: Reforming Governments in Emerging Administrations. Case study: South-Eastern Europe
AWARD 2011
Ms. Simona Sora, Romania, PhD student at Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, Romania
Paper: Training diplomats in the 21st century a comparative EU perspective
AWARD 2010
Ms. Dana Mihaela Murgescu, Romania, PhD student at the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Romania
Paper: The Influence of the Global Economic Crisis on Regional Differences in Romania
Paper: The Influence of the Global Economic Crisis on Regional Differences in Romania
AWARD 2009
Mr. Catalin Daniel Dumitrica, Romania, PhD student at the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Romania
Paper: Building a Metropolitan Area Model for the Romanian Administrative Space
Paper: Building a Metropolitan Area Model for the Romanian Administrative Space
AWARD 2008
Ms. Astghik Mavisakalyan, Armenia, PhD student at the University of Sydney, Australia
Paper: Development priorities in an emerging decentralized economy: The case of Armenia local development programs
Paper: Development priorities in an emerging decentralized economy: The case of Armenia local development programs
AWARD 2007
Ms. Maria Keris, PhD student at the Tallin University, Estonia
Paper: Minister’s advisors interfacing at the "summit”: The case of Estonia
Paper: Minister’s advisors interfacing at the "summit”: The case of Estonia
AWARD 2006
Ms. Maria Keris, PhD student at the Tallin University, Estonia
Paper: The role patterns of minister’s personal advisors in politico-administrative dichotomy. Comparative case study of two Estonian ministries.
Ms. Maria Keris, PhD student at the Tallin University, Estonia
Paper: The role patterns of minister’s personal advisors in politico-administrative dichotomy. Comparative case study of two Estonian ministries.
AWARD 2005
Ms. Krisztina Toth, PhD student at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Paper: The Impact of Legislature and Citizens on the Budgeting Process in Switzerland: Lessons for Central and Eastern Europe
Ms. Krisztina Toth, PhD student at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Paper: The Impact of Legislature and Citizens on the Budgeting Process in Switzerland: Lessons for Central and Eastern Europe