Thesis Workshop for Juniors

Brennis Carillo (Government, Theater, Dance & Media, 2026) received a senior thesis grant for research in France.

For Harvard College juniors interested in writing on an international topic, the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES) offers a series of workshops to guide them through the process.

Writing a senior thesis can be a daunting task. These valuable sessions are designed to build fundamental skills for writing a successful thesis, offer a chance to learn from seniors completing their projects, and are led by CES Thesis Workshop Chairs Charles Clavey and Matt Reichert. Topics include:

Formulating a thesis topic
Managing research and leveraging Harvard’s resources
Identifying advisers
Developing and applying effective research methodologies
Creating an organized and substantive proposal

All sessions are open to Harvard College students, preferably Juniors, irrespective of geographic- or subject-area focus. For a schedule of the sessions, see below.

Do you have questions about our workshops? Contact our Workshop Chairs.

Charles Clavey Matt Reichert

Thesis Workshop Schedule – Fall 2025

Thesis Workshop for Juniors — What is a Thesis? How to Find an Advisor?

November 14, 2025
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Chair Charles Clavey – Preceptor in Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University and Matt Reichert – Preceptor on Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University

Thesis Workshop for Juniors — Library Resources and Seeking Letters of Recommendation

November 24, 2025
5:00pm - 6:00pm

Chair Charles Clavey – Preceptor in Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University and Matt Reichert – Preceptor on Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University

Thesis Workshop for Juniors — CES Writer's Forum Mini-Conference

December 1, 2025
5:00pm - 6:00pm

Chair Charles Clavey – Preceptor in Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University and Matt Reichert – Preceptor on Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University
Speaker Selam Ambaw – Harvard College Student, Harvard University and Maria Cheng – Harvard College Student; Undergraduate Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University and Adelaide Parker – Harvard College Student, Harvard University

Thesis Workshop Schedule – Spring 2026

Thesis Workshop for Juniors — How to Write a Winning Proposal

January 6, 2026
5:00pm - 6:00pm

Chair Charles Clavey – Preceptor in Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University and Matt Reichert – Preceptor on Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University

Thesis Workshop for Juniors — Research Methods and Working in the Field

March 2, 2026
5:00pm - 6:00pm

Chair Charles Clavey – Preceptor in Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University and Matt Reichert – Preceptor on Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University

Thesis Workshop for Juniors — Senior Thesis Writers' Colloquium & Celebration

April 27, 2026
4:00pm - 5:30pm

Chair Charles Clavey – Preceptor in Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University and Matt Reichert – Preceptor on Social Studies, Harvard University; Seminar Chair, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES), Harvard University
Speaker Maria Cheng – Harvard College Student; Undergraduate Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University and Camila Cruz – Harvard College Student; Undergraduate Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University and Julia Dan – Harvard College Student; Undergraduate Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University and Hugo Hinze – Harvard College Student; Undergraduate Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Discussant Anna Adorjáni – Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Augsburg; German Kennedy Memorial Fellow & Visiting Scholar 2025-2026, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University and Grace Ballor – Assistant Professor of International Economic History, Bocconi University; Visiting Professor of History and Environmental Research, Sciences Po Paris; Visiting Scholar 2025-2026, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University and Michael Koß – Professor for the Political System of Germany and the EU, Leuphana University Lüneburg; Resident Faculty (Spring 2026), Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University; Visiting Scholar 2013-2014, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University and Maria Stoicheva – Professor of Philosophy, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski; Visiting Scholar 2025-2026, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University

Senior Thesis Grants

CES offers summer research travel grants for senior thesis writers to explore topics on political, historical, economic, social, cultural, and intellectual trends in modern or contemporary Europe.

Allison Jones (History, Secondary Field in Government, 2026)

The following students were Senior Thesis Grant Recipients in 2025.

Allison Jones (History, Secondary Field in Government, 2026)

Learn more about senior thesis grants and how to apply for one.

Details