Every year, the MPhil in Public Policy issues two awards to outstanding students for performance across the entire programme, and on the Independent Research Paper. Below are the testimonials from the 2024 winners:
HIGHEST OVERALL AVERAGE PRIZE - Robert Joseph
I thoroughly enjoyed and greatly benefited from the MPP at the University of Cambridge, and it was an honour and a pleasant surprise to receive the Highest Overall Average Prize. Two particular strengths of the program stood out to me. First, the calibre of the lecturers was exceptional; they consistently delivered their classes with passion, balanced perspectives, and were always available for follow-up discussions. Second, the course administrators were incredibly helpful; I always felt supported whenever I had a query or faced an unexpected challenge. I feel very grateful for my time in the program and look forward to applying what I have learned to the public policy space in Australia.
HIGHEST INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PAPER PRIZE - Madeline Garrett
My paper “Identifying Politically Feasible and Effective Policies to Combat Gun Violence in North Carolina” emerged out of a feeling of hopelessness regarding the persistent policy challenges surrounding gun violence in my home state of North Carolina. The paper delves into the entrenched issue of gun violence in the state and the current political stalemate. My objective was to pinpoint legislation falling into four key categories: politically feasible, effective in curbing gun violence, economically viable, and widely endorsed by the public. This involved rigorous data analysis across comparable states in the US, case studies, and a comprehensive review of existing literature.
I am so honored to receive the award for the Highest Independent Research Paper Prize for the MPhil in Public Policy. This past term I faced a personal tragedy that made it difficult for me to engage again with my research. However, with the unwavering support from the MPP team, my supervisor Roberto Foa, my Cambridge community, and my family and partner, I was able to finish the year and produce research that I am truly proud of.