What Is the HIR Academic Writing Contest?

The Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest is one of the most competitive and presitgious global policy competitions for high school students. Hosted by Harvard’s premier international affairs journal, the contest challenges students to produce rigorous, publication-quality analysis on pressing global issues.

Since its launch in 2020, the competition has attracted hundreds of submissions each cycle. Students submit a concise (800–1,200 word) article evaluated by Harvard-affiliated judges. Top finalists are invited to Defense Day, where they present and defend their work in a live, 15-minute policy briefing followed by Q&A.

From there, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded—with only a small fraction of participants reaching the top.

Step 1: Understand the Format and Themes

Before you write a single word, understand what HIR is actually looking for: policy-driven, globally grounded analysis—not opinion pieces.

You’ll choose one of three themes:

Theme A: Global Commons and Stewardship

Focus on shared resources like oceans, polar regions, or space—and how global actors manage competing interests, environmental risks, and governance challenges.

Theme B: Emerging Powers in a Changing Global Order

Analyze how countries like India, Brazil, or Türkiye are reshaping global power structures, alliances, and geopolitical strategy.

Theme C: Resilient Cities and Urban Futures

Examine how cities are preparing for rapid urbanization and 21st-century challenges—from climate resilience to infrastructure and public health.

Key Requirements:

• Length: 800–1,200 words
• Style: Formal, analytical, and globally focused
• Citations: Hyperlinked (AP style)
• AI use: Strictly prohibited

You must also connect your theme to a discipline such as public health, law and diplomacy, cybersecurity, economics, or technology.

Step 2: Choose a Strategic Topic

Strong submissions are not just well-written—they are well-positioned.

• Pick something you genuinely care about. Depth always beats surface-level coverage.
• Narrow your scope globally. Avoid local or generic topics.
  • Weak: Urban sustainability in my city
  • Strong: Heat resilience strategies in Lagos or Mumbai
• Study past winners. This is the fastest way to calibrate your understanding of originality and rigor.

The best topics sit at the intersection of timeliness, specificity, and global relevance.

Step 3: Research Like a Policy Analyst

HIR judges reward work that is evidence-based, nuanced, and actionable.

Prioritize:

• Credible global institutions (UN, WHO, World Bank, IEA)
• Think tanks (Brookings, CFR)
• Peer-reviewed research

Best practices:

• Use recent, quantifiable data
• Cross-check facts across multiple sources
• Hyperlink key claims directly (not entire sentences)
• Maintain neutrality—acknowledge competing perspectives

This is not about proving a point. It’s about building a case.

Step 4: Write in HIR Style

Think of your article as a mini policy brief, not an essay.

Recommended Structure

Title + Theme Label
Clear, precise, and specific.

Introduction (100–150 words)
Frame the issue and explain why it matters globally.

Background
Provide essential context—key actors, history, and stakes.

Analysis
Identify gaps in current policy. Highlight overlooked dynamics or unintended consequences.

Recommendations
Offer 2–4 specific, realistic solutions:

• Policy changes
• International agreements
• Funding mechanisms
• Technological interventions

Conclusion
Reinforce urgency and the broader implications.

Optional: Include a table or diagram if it strengthens clarity.

Style Essentials That Matter

HIR is extremely particular about style. Some key rules:

• Spell out acronyms before using them
• Avoid first-person (“I argue,” “we believe”)
• Use “percent” instead of %
• Hyperlink sources (no footnotes)
• Use the Oxford comma
• Maintain cultural and geopolitical sensitivity (e.g., “Ukraine,” not “the Ukraine”)

Small details signal seriousness and credibility.

Step 5: Revise with Precision

Great writing is rewriting.

• Cut unnecessary words—clarity wins
• Strengthen transitions between sections
• Double-check every hyperlink
• Get feedback from someone familiar with international affairs
• Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway for clarity (but not for generating content)

Every sentence should earn its place.

Step 6: Understand the Judging Criteria

HIR evaluates submissions across five core areas:

• Research Depth & Source Quality
• Analytical Strength & Balance
• Originality & Global Relevance
• Policy Applicability
• Writing Quality

Only a small percentage of submissions advance—and an even smaller share earn medals. Gold typically represents the top ~1–2 entries per theme.

Step 7: Prepare for Defense Day

If selected as a finalist, your work isn’t finished—you’ll need to defend it live.

What to Expect

• 15-minute presentation (structured like a policy briefing)
• Q&A with judges challenging your assumptions, feasibility, and analysis

How to Prepare

• Know your paper inside and out—data, sources, and reasoning
• Anticipate counterarguments and weaknesses
• Practice concise, confident delivery
• Stay composed under pressure

This is where strong writers become true competitors.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Exceeding the word limit
• Submitting AI-generated or AI-assisted writing
• Taking a U.S.-centric perspective
• Writing an opinion piece instead of analysis
• Making unsupported claims
• Ending with a weak or vague conclusion

Awards and Recognition

• Gold Medal: Top 1–2 submissions per theme
• Silver/Bronze: High-ranking finalists
• Publication: Gold medalists may be published in HIR
• Certificates: Awarded to shortlisted participants

With acceptance rates below 5%, recognition alone is a meaningful achievement.

Example Timeline

Milestone                              Typical Timeline

Submission deadline       May / August / January

Defense Day                      ~1 month later

Medals awarded               4-8 weeks after Defense Day

Always confirm exact dates on the official HIR contest page.

Examples of Medal-Winning Essays

Reviewing past winning submissions is one of the most effective ways to understand what distinguishes medal-level work. These examples highlight the depth of analysis, clarity of argument, and global perspective that HIR values.

Gold Medal: Digitizing Sovereignty, Guarding the Ocean by Joanna C.

Silver Medal: Between Blocs: The Strategic Nonalignment of Emerging Powers by Hudson L.

Bronze Medal: Circular Cities: Building Self-Sustaining Urban Ecosystems for the Twenty-First Century by Greg S.

These essays illustrate the level of precision, originality, and global insight required to move from a strong submission to a truly medal-winning one.

Final Thoughts from a Gold Medalist

Winning the HIR Academic Writing Contest isn’t just about strong writing—it’s about thinking like a policymaker, analyzing like a researcher, and communicating like a diplomat.

If you’re preparing a submission:

• Be precise, not broad
• Think globally, not locally
• Write clearly, not impressively
• Defend your ideas with confidence

Because at its core, this competition rewards one thing above all:

The ability to engage seriously with the world—and propose how to change it.

Interested in taking your HIR submission to the next level?

AtomicMind works with students one-on-one to develop standout, publication-quality writing—from refining your topic and strengthening your analysis to preparing for Defense Day. Our specialists have deep experience in international affairs and competitive academic writing, and we’re here to help you turn strong ideas into medal-worthy work. Reach out to learn more about how we can support your HIR journey.

About the Author: As a Head Advisor, Lucas helps students ask the questions that matter: Who am I? What do I care about? Where am I going? An award-winning Harvard philosophy researcher who studied at both Harvard and Oxford, he's spent years teaching students of all ages how to think clearly about themselves, their interests, and their futures. Beyond his work with students, Lucas can often be found lost in a fantasy novel or a philosophy book.

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