I find myself stuck, or at least hesitant, about settling on my master thesis topic about gamifying strength training. I’m in a stadium where I overthink a lot of it because there doesn’t seem to be a limit to what can be done which is exciting on one hand but a bit overwhelming on the other. So I am taking a break from it and zooming out to explore other possible master thesis topics. Aim higher even, maybe..
This might sound like a complete curveball but I’m seriously considering steering my thesis toward something connected with diplomacy or international affairs. Why, I am not absolutely sure yet. Whether this is long-term ambition speaking, aiming to possibly working as a diplomat or ambassador with the BMEIA, or just a hyperfixation on something new that will fade in a month, remains to be seen.
Nonetheless it feels worth taken a look into.
At first glance it might seem like a big leap from interaction and information design to diplomacy, but I believe that digital design and interaction can offer fresh, valuable perspectives in diplomatic communication, cultural exchange, and public trust. All essential for today’s complex, interconnected world.
Could this mean a collaboration with the BMEIA for my thesis? Who knows! After refining my research topic and making sure that this is a long-term interest I might reach out and explore that possibility. Even if a formal partnership isn’t possible, the idea of crafting a thesis that bridges design and diplomacy feels worth pursuing.
Designing for Transparency and Trust at the BMEIA
How can interaction and information design improve the BMEIA’s online presence to make it more transparent and trustworthy in the eyes of users worldwide?
Here’s the thing: I took a look at the current BMEIA website and honestly, it feels cluttered and complicated. I find it hard to clearly understand what exactly the ministry does or where to find reliable, transparent information. If I feel that way, I can only imagine how confusing this must be for Austrian citizens abroad, international journalists, or foreign stakeholders trying to grasp Austria’s diplomatic efforts.
Diplomacy is built on relationships and trust. Nowadays, digital channels are often the first, and only, touchpoints people have with government institutions. If a ministry’s website or app is confusing, outdated, or overwhelming, it risks undermining public trust, whih can have real consequences on how policies and actions are perceived internationally.
I my thesis I might want to explore the following points:
- How different user groups perceive the current BMEIA online presence in terms of clarity, transparency, and trustworthiness
- What design elements currently help or hinder these perceptions
- How can interaction design and information structure be improved to communicate the ministry’s roles, processes, and values more clearly
- What concrete transparency-building features (like interactive timelines, simple navigation, or trust signals) can be introduced to improve user experience and confidence
The following methods would need to be employed:
- User Research, Interviews, Surveys with a diverse audience of austrians at home and abroad
- Usability testing and heuristic evaluations of the current website to identify pain points
- Comparative analysis of foreign ministries from other countries to learn from best practices in digital diplomacy
- Co-design workshops to ideate and prototype transparency-driven design solutions
- Iterative prototyping and testing to measure how new designs affect trust and clarity
What’s next?
I’m still figuring it out tbh. There’s a lot of groundwork to do: refining my research question, learning from existing literature, etc..
For now I’m diving into readings on digital diplomacy, trust in online services, government UX, and civic design.
If you’re curious too, here is my reading list:
- Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrative model of organizational trust.
- Van Bavel, R., Rodríguez-Priego, N., Vila, J., & Briggs, P. (2020). Building trust in government in the digital age: A review of empirical research.
- Bjola, C., & Holmes, M. (2015). Digital diplomacy: Theory and practice.
- Carter, L., & Bélanger, F. (2005). The utilization of e‐government services: Citizen trust, innovation and acceptance factors.
- Case Study: GOV.UK Design System
This thesis direction feels like an interesting change of pace. Potentially working with a government institution is something I hadn’t considered yet before and I will need to think on this for a while before I decide for or against it. Nonetheless I think it could be an exciting challenge and produce an impressive Master thesis.
