Testimonials
With this Master's degree, you can go various directions in your professional career.
- Previous education
- Bachelor Business Administration - HAN University of Applied Sciences
- Programme
- International Relations
- Study start date
- Study end date
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
This Master's programme has provided me with essential skills such as research, analytical and writing skills, but it also created an understanding on conflict in the 21st century, international relations theories, and the global political economy. With this Master's degree, you can go various directions in your professional career. From public to private sector jobs and from human rights and diplomacy to researcher and sanctions analist jobs. In general, this programme really shows the different fields in political science and the different careers you can pursue.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class (for example the relationship between students and with the teachers/researchers)?
Part of the pre-Master's programme took place during COVID-19. Therefore, it was more difficult to grasp the atmosphere in class in the beginning. When we were allowed to go back to the university again, I truly got to meet my fellow students and teachers. The professors are very approachable and especially engaging with guest lecturers I found very inspiring and interesting. Especially the guest lecture by Mart de Kruif, Officer of the Royal Netherlands Army since 1981, I found very intriguing.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
Due to my HBO background, I had to work extra hard for to the research part of the Master's. This was different from the research I did for my prior studies. However, the pre-Master's Political Science really helped me to prepare for the Master's programme. Furthermore, I decided to extent my Master's degree with one year to spread the workload and to be able to conduct a 6-month internship. It would also have been an option to add an extra course instead, but found I more important to gain practical experience.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I have recently finished my internship at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa, Pretoria. Over a period of 6 months I got a unique insight in the field of diplomacy, political affairs, and human rights. During this internship, I also learned more about the historical relationship between South Africa and the Netherlands. This inspired me to write my thesis about the politicisation by the indigenous Khoisan people of the Dutch colonial past in South Africa.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree? What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?
In general, I think people that have followed this Master's programme are interested in global events, are flexible, and somewhat idealistic. Given the current global events, I think these assets are very important in playing a role in dealing with today's international challenges and threats.
My goal is to pursue a diplomatic career at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which I work on women's rights. My next step is to apply for the AMID-traineeship. This traineeship combines 4 days working as a young professional with 1 day education on international development cooperation a week.
I would like to wish future IR students all the best during this study programme. I believe if you work hard and find out what really inspires you, you will definitely succeed and get answers on your future career path.
International Relations really provides you with a certain outlook on the world that I find would be difficult to get somewhere else.
- Previous education
- Bachelor Degree in Arts & Culture (Maastricht University), Pre-Master Political Science (Radboud University)
- Programme
- International Relations
- Study start date
- Study end date
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
International Relations was not necessarily my first choice, but after lots of contemplation I chose this specialisation anyways. Looking back, I am really happy with my choice. International Relations provides you with a lot of different perspectives and focuses on different aspects of international politics; cooperation, conflict, capitalism, colonialism, crises, etc. There are so many topics that are being discussed from different angles, encouraging students to also form their own opinion and position. It challenges you to think critically, which is a skill that is very convenient to have once you start writing more papers and doing presentations.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
Personally, the atmosphere in class has always been really pleasant. Either during lectures or seminars, both students and teachers have been very accommodating to one another and communication flows very easily. Even during group projects everything has run smoothly, which is a first for me. There is no apparent hierarchy between students and teachers and asking questions is therefore more easily encouraged. In my experience, it has been quite a nonjudgmental space; making coming to university much more enjoyable.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s (specialisation)? Have you encountered any obstacles?
For me, after 4 years of studying, it has become more difficult to find the motivation to start reading the literature for the classes. Once you get started, it's fine, but the motivation to read for class (so not for my own research papers) has, in my case, somewhat dwindled. However, the fact that I am a quick reader and like most topics helps me a little.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I am planning on extending my Master's for a bit since I am intending to do an internship after the summer break. However, I am currently starting to write my thesis and so far these are some topics that are going to be incorporated into my thesis: the relation of popular culture and international relations, youth engagement, soft power, normative power, cultural diplomacy, and middle power diplomacy. The thesis writing process has just started a week and a half ago, so I am hoping to narrow it down a bit more in the upcoming weeks.
Why do you think is it important that there are people out there with this degree? What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?
When looking back at everything we have discussed in classes so far, I can't help but see how relevant some topics are currently. During class, we have talked a lot about the (possible) shift in global hegemony and how the USA is losing its power territory to China and Russia, which is a discussion that I reckon will still be extremely relevant in 10 years. Even though International Relations is quite a broad Master's degree, it really provides you with a certain outlook on the world and international politics that I find would be difficult to get somewhere else. It has been really hard for me to decide what I want to do after my Master's, but for now the plan is to hopefully find a good PhD position and be able to teach International Relations at university.
Even Barack Obama gets stressed, even Mark Rutte becomes annoyed, even Angela Merkel doesn’t remember all the details
- Nationality
- German
- Programme
- International Relations
Can you introduce yourself?
I am an Assistant Professor in International Relations at the Department of Political Science, where I have been teaching since 2020. I offer courses on foreign policy analysis at the undergraduate level and on international security in the Master’s programme. I also give the occasional guest lecture on qualitative methods, gender and bias in political science, or populism in international politics.
Students might also see come across me online: I help run the department’s LinkedIn and bluesky accounts where we share news, events, research highlights and job postings. Before joining Radboud, I completed my PhD and worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the London School of Economics, where I taught courses on US foreign policy and international relations theory.
Why did you choose to work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
I have been, and continue to be, fascinated by the politics of decision-making, especially in foreign and security policy. Why and how do leaders make the choices they do? Why do they decide to wage war or pursue peace? Do populists or autocrats behave differently from liberal-democratic governments?
What makes this field so compelling is how it brings together insights from various disciplines: international relations, sociology, organisational behaviour, psychology, law…
It’s a curious mix of high-stakes decisions on the one hand, and procedural minutiae on the other, and it highlights the human factor – even Barack Obama gets stressed, even Mark Rutte becomes annoyed, even Angela Merkel doesn’t remember all the details; not to speak of their advisers, ministers, aides, and so forth, each with their own ideas, characters and politics.
Finally, it is always topical and relevant; it’s always unfolding in real time. Whether it’s Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Trump’s tariffs, China’s rise or Turkey’s intervention in Syria, foreign and security policy are in the headlines every day.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
In my research, I ask why and how leaders make foreign policy decisions. Right now, I’m especially interested in deception: when and why do states choose to mislead their adversaries, their allies, or even their own publics?
This ties into my broader work on war and conflict (where deception is often assumed to be widespread), and on populism and autocracy (where deception is often thought to be a political strategy).
I also think more theoretically about how we explain foreign policy decisions: which factors matter most, and how do they interact?
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
Listen to your heart. Choose a field that genuinely interests you, something that sparks questions, that feels puzzling or urgent. Passion for a subject is what sustains you through the tough but necessary parts and makes studying feel meaningful.
It’s meaningful to support students as they find their voice, clarify their interests, and begin shaping their own path in the world of international relations.
- Nationality
- Chinese
- Programme
- International Relations
Can you introduce yourself?
Hi, I'm Guangyu Qiao-Franco. I'm an Assistant Professor of International Relations here at Radboud University. I earned my PhD in International Relations from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and my academic background focuses on military AI and Asia studies.
In the Master’s programme, you’ll most likely meet me in Block 3 and 4, where I teach courses like 'Governance and Diplomacy in a Multipolar World: European and Global Perspectives'. I also supervise Master’s theses, especially on topics like regional cooperation, emerging technologies in warfare, and broader security issues in Asia.
I’ve been teaching at Radboud for a few years now and really enjoy helping students make sense of how global politics works, both in theory and in practice. Outside of teaching, I also work on research projects with think tanks and policy institutions such as Clingendael, Leiden Asia Centre and UNIDIR, mainly on tech and security topics like export controls and digital sovereignty.
Looking forward to working with you during the programme!
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
My academic and professional journey has been shaped by two major interests: the strategic implications of military AI and the evolving role of Asia in global politics. I chose to focus on these areas because they sit at the heart of some of the most critical transformations in international relations today.
Military AI is not just about technology; it’s about how power is exercised, how conflicts might evolve, and how norms are (or aren't) formed around rapidly advancing capabilities. Understanding its impact is essential for anyone interested in future security and governance.
At the same time, Asia (or the Indo-Pacific) is increasingly central to global power shifts. Whether through regional institutions like ASEAN, or major players like China, the region offers crucial insights into how global governance is contested and reshaped.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
My current research focuses on how emerging technologies (especially military AI) are reshaping global security and governance. I’m particularly interested in how different countries, including those in Asia and the Indo-Pacific, respond to the challenges posed by AI in warfare, and how these responses reflect deeper tensions around sovereignty, norm development, and power competition.
I also study how emerging economies like China and ASEAN engage with global governance frameworks, especially in areas like digital regulation and export controls. My work combines theoretical insights with policy relevance, and I often collaborate with think tanks and government stakeholders to explore how international norms are shaped in practice.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
When choosing what to study, my advice is to focus on what truly interests and motivates you. Pick a subject that sparks your curiosity and makes you want to learn more, even when it gets challenging. Studying something you are passionate about will help you stay engaged and succeed in the long run.
Keep an open mind and dare to take a less beaten path. Sometimes the most meaningful and fulfilling choices are not the most obvious or conventional ones. Exploring new perspectives or lesser-known topics can lead to unexpected insights and opportunities.
Also, consider how your personal experiences and background can enrich your perspective. Your unique viewpoint is valuable and can help you contribute meaningfully to your field.
What is the best part of working with students?
I value the energy and fresh thinking that students bring. Their questions often challenge me to see topics from new angles and keep my own thinking sharp and reflective. Teaching becomes a genuine exchange, where we learn from one another.
It’s also meaningful to support students as they find their voice, clarify their interests, and begin shaping their own path in the world of international relations. Being part of that journey is both a privilege and a constant source of inspiration.
What does your work in practice bring to your academic work, and vice versa?
My work outside the university, particularly in collaboration with think tanks and policy institutions, allows me to engage directly with current policy debates on issues such as export controls, digital sovereignty, and the governance of emerging technologies. This practical perspective keeps me closely connected to how international relations unfold in real time and helps me bring those insights into the classroom and my research.
At the same time, my academic work provides a deeper theoretical and critical foundation that I apply in policy discussions. It helps me step back from day-to-day decision-making and ask broader questions about power, norms, and long-term implications. This back-and-forth between practice and academia enriches both sides of my work.