About Effective Thesis

Our mission is to guide students towards research that addresses the world's most pressing challenges

Our Mission

At Effective Thesis, we empower students and early-career researchers with the resources, support, and inspiration they need to make a meaningful impact through their thesis and research projects. We believe in the power of research to change the world and strive to connect aspiring researchers with the most pressing issues of our time.

Our goals are to:

  • Guide students towards research topics that address critical global challenges

  • Provide comprehensive resources and support for impactful research

  • Foster a community of forward-thinking academics dedicated to making a difference

  • Bridge the gap between academia and real-world impact

Our Story

Effective Thesis was founded in July 2017 by David Janků, with initial support from Daniel Hnyk and members of the Czech EA Association. What began as a small initiative has grown into a global platform, supporting hundreds of researchers across the world.

Key milestones:

  • 2017-2020: Development of initial content and coaching services

  • 2020: First major funding secured, expansion of team and services

  • 2021-2022: Significant growth in team size and service offerings

  • 2023: Strategic pivot to focus on core services and maximize impact

Our Impact

Since our inception, Effective Thesis has:

  • Supported over 500 students in conducting impactful research

  • Facilitated research across dozens of disciplines

  • Contributed to breakthroughs in areas such as AI safety, global health, and climate change mitigation

  • Built a network of over 135 expert collaborators

  • The below map shows the 100+ countries where we’ve reached students.

Our Team

Effective Thesis is powered by a dedicated team of professionals passionate about maximizing the impact of academic work.

  • Joel Christoph

    Director. Joel holds an MRes in Economics from the European University Institute and is a Ph.D. candidate there. He has collaborated with organizations like the World Bank and Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute.

  • Hana McMahon-Cole

    Director of Content. Hana is pursuing a Master's in Cognitive Systems at Potsdam University. She brings experience in research assistance, curriculum design, and educational consulting.

  • Conor Spence

    Director of Research. Conor is responsible for identifying impactful research topics and working with expert advisors. He has a background in university lecturing and non-profit work.

  • Cosmina Ciuperca

    Opportunities Search Manager. Cosmina focuses on finding relevant jobs, internships, prizes, and scholarships for students interested in impactful research.

  • Yuxi Xia

    Yuxi co-founded Vegan Thesis and is pursuing a master's in Environment and Society at LMU Munich.

Our Board

Our work is guided by an esteemed board of advisors:

  • David Janků - Founder of Effective Thesis, analyst at the Czech Science Foundation

  • Julia Michaels - Executive Director of the Center for Public University Transformation

  • Renan Araujo - Research Manager at Rethink Priorities' Existential Security team

  • Sven Herrmann - Head of Research Operations at the Global Priorities Institute, Oxford University

  • Daniel Hnyk - Director of engineering with experience in software development and rationality training

  • Jérémy Andréoletti - Co-founder of EffiSciences and PhD student at École Normale Supérieure PSL

How We Work

  1. Topic Identification: We continuously research and identify high-impact areas where academic work can make a significant difference.

  2. Student Matching: We help students find topics that align with their interests and have the potential for real-world impact.

  3. Support and Guidance: Through coaching, resources, and community, we support students throughout their research journey.

  4. Impact Assessment: We track and evaluate the outcomes of supported research to ensure we're maximizing our positive impact.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Whether you're a student looking to make your research count, an academic interested in mentoring, or an organization wanting to partner with us, there's a place for you in the Effective Thesis community.

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