Nearly 80 young researchers presented the results of a year of academic work at the two-day Research Centers Closing Conference, where master's students showcased their research before panels of experienced scholars and experts.
Supporting the next generation of Hungarian researchers has been a core mission of MCC throughout its 30-year history. One of the Academy's flagship initiatives, Research Center Programs enables master's students to pursue independent research over the course of an academic year with the guidance of experienced mentors. Participants develop their methodology, conduct empirical research, and present their findings at the Closing Conference.
Bringing together young researchers from MCC's centers across Hungary and beyond, including Cluj-Napoca, Miskolc, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged, Győr, and Budapest, the conference provides a valuable forum for academic exchange, professional dialogue, and networking.
The event opened with a keynote address by Prof. Dr. István Stumpf, Head of the Center for Governance Strategies and Constitutional State, who emphasized that social responsibility is one of the defining qualities of both researchers and society's leaders. He argued that intellectual elites must remain connected to society and contribute to its advancement.
The second day began with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Benigna Grécziné Havasi, in which András Lánczi and Zoltán Cséfalvay reflected on the purpose of science and its relationship with politics and society.
The presentations highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the Research Centers, spanning fields from law, economics, and political science to psychology, environmental studies, and ethnography. Topics included the legal status of ecocide, young people's attitudes toward starting a family, climate change in the Carpathian Basin, digital consumer protection, the constitutional foundations of U.S. tariff law, artificial intelligence, and vernacular architecture.
This Closing Conference marks the culmination of a year of dedicated research while giving students the opportunity to present their work, receive expert feedback, engage in professional debate, and learn from one another. The breadth of topics showcased the curiosity and commitment of MCC Academy's young researchers as they tackle some of today's most pressing academic and societal questions.
