Jaci Leigh Eisenberg (PhD in International History, ’14) and Ayelet Berman (PhD in International Law, ’14) have been announced as joint winners of this year’s best thesis in International Studies award.
The Graduate Institute and the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) congratulated Berman and Eisenberg for winning the 2015 SNIS Award, their PhD theses having fought off fierce competition from 16 other excellent entries to do so.
Berman’s study on Transnational Regulatory Networks (TRNs) was judged highly relevant for both the academic and policy-making fields. The thesis is academically significant as the subject of study is fairly new in the field of global law, and so therefore explores uncharted waters. Furthermore, the thesis could contribute to the functioning of TRNs and their development towards more transparency and accountability.
Eisenberg’s thesis on how American women contributed to the League of Nations during the interwar period was particularly appreciated, especially as it forms a bridge between women’s history and the history of international organisations, and as it studies a usually-overlooked actor. The jury praised the quality and accessibility of the writing, admiring how it allows even the most unspecialised audience to learn more about international history, international politics and how these topics can work together.
Reining in the Regulators? Transnational Regulatory Networks and Accountability
June 2014, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, under the supervision of Joost Pauwelyn, Professor of International Law.
Transnational Regulatory Networks (TRNs) have been gaining importance in recent years, but not without criticism. In fact, many scholars have questioned their accountability. However, is this accountability of as bad as it is presented? Through analysis of TRNs that seek to harmonise health-related standards, the thesis concludes that historically TRNs were more accountable than most scholars think. Furthermore, TRNs are currently becoming more transparent and inclusive. Taking into account both transnational and domestic levels, Berman argues that domestic administrative law can contribute to easing development towards more accountable TRNs.
American Women and International Geneva, 1919-1939
February 2014, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, under the supervision of Honorary Professor Andre Liebich, Professor of International History and Politics. In international Geneva, during the interwar period, American women could be considered as ‘double outsiders’, due to US non-membership in the League of Nations as well as their gender. Hence their exclusion from most work with the League of Nations.
Eisenberg’s study examines the impact of American women, despite their outsider position, on the League of Nations by focusing on various themes, coming to some unexpected conclusions. One particularly interesting observation is that American women exercised a foreign policy that differed from that of their government.