r/PoliticalScience • u/Plus_College5343 • 9d ago

Research help EU foreign policy

Hi! Has anyone written their bachelor’s thesis on EU foreign policy? I really need some help, as my supervisor is currently dealing with an issue and isn’t able to help me at the moment.

What topics did you work on and what research problem do you think would be interesting to explore? I was thinking about doing something related to EU–Russia relations, but I can’t seem to come up with an interesting research hypothesis. I would like to prove a specific change in Russia determined something about the foreign policy of EUQ. I was also thinking about somehow connecting it to the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood.

I’m honestly a bit stuck at the moment and I mainly need some ideas for interesting research topics.

Thank you!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/code_blooded_bytch 9d ago

Nobody can come up with your research question for you.

0

u/Plus_College5343 9d ago

Not the research question. Some issues that are interesting to study.

1

u/code_blooded_bytch 9d ago

Only you can decide what’s interesting for you. That’s part of the research process.

0

u/Plus_College5343 9d ago

I understand! Thank you for your answer though!

1

u/MrDracir 5d ago

Ffs this person is just trying to find inspiration. Not everyone has professors/mentors/parents that help with that. People like you make academia feel inaccessible and elitist.

1

u/MrDracir 5d ago

Hey, I wrote my thesis about the origins and development of the rivalry/conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. I didn’t have a hypothesis, instead I used the documentary research methodology, by which I focused on the history of the conflict up to the present, analysing the religious, geopolitical and political implications. I got the highest mark you can get.

However, while I liked and enjoyed the topic, if I had to do it today, I’d pick a research question where I could use data analysis. Something using open-source data. I’ll give you 2 ideas:

1. What explains variation in member-state aid to Ukraine, as a share of GDP? Panel regression of aid on distance to Russia, prior gas dependence, government ideology, and public opinion. Data: Kiel Ukraine Support Tracker, Eurostat, ParlGov, Eurobarometer.

2. Did EU sanctions reroute trade rather than reduce it? Difference-in-differences on exports of sanctioned goods to Russia's neighbours (Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey) before and after 2022. Data: Eurostat Comext, UN Comtrade, CEPII BACI.