Arman Prangere

Project outcomes

At the time of my project, I was an exchange student at the University of Edinburgh, studying politics and philosophy. My home universities were Sciences Po and Sorbonne University, and I am now pursuing cognitive science at the École Normale Supérieure. During my stay in Edinburgh, I interned at the Neuropolitics Research Lab, whose work on political narratives, especially around immigration, inspired and supported my project. My main interest then was how early environments shape individual cognition. This intersection of led me to investigate whether harsher childhood environments might influence the development of negative attitudes toward immigrants, focusing on two potential pathways identified in prior research: heightened threat sensitivity and reduced social trust.

What was the most rewarding part of your summer research?

Although I had to leave Edinburgh after finishing my project and could not attend the gathering events, the most rewarding part was the opportunity to design and carry out a project from start to finish. It gave me both independence and a concrete sense of achievement.

Why should students get involved in a summer research project?

Because it’s an invaluable experience! It allows you to explore a topic in depth, gain practical research skills, and often discover new academic or personal interests along the way.

How has this research experience influenced your future study and career paths?

It helped me refine my academic interests, test my motivation for research, and practice the full process of inquiry from idea to implementation. I am still eager to pursue questions at the intersection of cognition and social sciences, but I also realised I like the philosophical/theoretical dimension more than empirics directly. It helps me frame my future projects more sharply.

What advice would you give future students applying for summer research scholarships?

Just go for it! Even if you’re not completely sure of your topic yet, it’s a rare chance to immerse yourself deeply in one area. You’ll learn a lot, and the experience will serve you well in whatever direction you take next.