Congratulations to Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student, Max Corbel, who was recently awarded the Allan Martin Prize for outstanding achievement in historical research.
Max says he chose La Trobe for its reputation as a university grounded in both academic excellence and equity.
“I applied to La Trobe because I was aware of its egalitarian vision and academic standing,” he says. “I am the son of two academics and, although my parents worked for other institutions, both held La Trobe University in high regard.”
Max says his thesis was sparked by a conversation with his now-supervisor, Dr Robert Horvath.
“After one class, as we walked together from the room where we had been discussing democratic backsliding in Hungary, Robert turned to me and said, ‘It strikes me that claims surrounding George Soros are understudied. It may provide the basis for interesting postgraduate research.’”
That conversation planted the seed for what became Max’s research project, an investigation into how autocratic regimes use conspiracy narratives to manipulate public discourse.
“My research examines the use of conspiracy theories in the influence campaigns of autocratic states,” he explains. “I have focused on conspiracy theories surrounding the international financier George Soros, the political cult built around the legacy of the late Lyndon LaRouche, and the regime of Vladimir Putin in Russia.”
“Despite its contemporary relevance, the history and strategic deployment of these narratives by autocratic states remains underexamined,” he says. “I’ve been deeply grateful that Dr Horvath saw fit to prompt me on this topic so early in my studies.”
Max hopes to continue research and teaching in the years ahead.
“As with many in the field of research, I hope to continue along this path, pursuing a doctorate and contributing through both teaching and research in public, educational and not-for-profit sectors.”
