Past Student Authors

Toward Effective Reporting in Environmental Agreements: Lessons for the Global Plastics Treaty

Alexandra Carlotto is a second-year student pursuing her MS in Environmental Science and Policy at Northeastern. She has a Bachelor’s in Biology and Environmental Studies from Fairfield University, driving a strong interest in global environmental governance, specifically the science-policy interface and the role of knowledge and knowledge holders within international environmental negotiations. She is a Program Manager for the Global Environmental Governance team out of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and has conducted research on reporting and compliance measures in multilateral environmental agreements in the context of a global treaty on plastic pollution.

Global Algorithm Accountability Treaty (GAAT): A Proposal to Counter Extremist Exploitation of Social Media

Eva is passionate about security issues, with a strong focus on counterterrorism, conflict studies, and post-conflict development. Currently, she’s pursuing a Master of Science in Security and Resilience Studies through the Plus One Program and is committed to enhancing resilience strategies in both government and private sectors. Her experience includes working as a Research Assistant analyzing the global refugee crisis and participating in a Dialogue of Civilizations in the Balkans, where she studied post-war reconciliation, disaster recovery, and anti-corruption efforts.

Reproducing the Nation: Biopolitics and the Global Return of Demographic Strategy

Nina Haddleton is an undergraduate student from Cambridge, Massachusetts, studying International Affairs with a minor in Political Science. She began her Northeastern studies in Paris, and this fall will join its Dialogue+ program where she will be studying in Sarajevo, Belgrade, Cairo, and Amman. Her background has both American and Russian roots which from an early age has inspired curiosity about different cultures. In her free time, Nina enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring Boston and the Cape.

Feeding a Fractured World: U.S. Policy Response to the Global Food Price Crisis

Preston Chan is a freshman studying Economics and International Affairs, with a strong interest in harnessing policy, diplomacy, and innovation to address global insecurity. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Preston brings a cross-cultural lens to economic and geopolitical challenges, with a particular focus on issues impacting marginalized communities. His academic interests are matched by a deep commitment to empowering the socioeconomic mobility of underserved youth. He is the founder of Invent Your Own Future (IYOF), a youth-led nonprofit that connects students with access to mentorship, internships, and career opportunities. Whether in policy research, nonprofit leadership, or grassroots initiatives, Preston’s work is guided by a belief in inclusive progress and the power of young people to drive meaningful, lasting change.

The Israel-Palestine Conflict Overview: A Two-State Solution?

Anjali Layman is a sophomore at Northeastern University, double majoring in Political Science and International Affairs with a pre-law focus. Passionate about global relations, she is committed to exploring the intersections of law and international policy. Anjali gained valuable experience as an intern with the United Nations of Outer Boston, where she conducted research on UN Sustainable Development Goals and created educational materials for middle school students. Currently, she serves as an NU Votes Ambassador, promoting voter engagement on campus, and previously worked as a poll worker during the primary elections. She is also an active member of Phi Alpha Delta, reflecting her strong interest in pursuing a legal career. Her dedication to global affairs inspired her to study abroad in London and participate in a Dialogue of Civilizations program on the Balkan Wars in Greece, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. She will continue her international education in Thailand next fall. These experiences have deepened her commitment to public service and law, leading her to her current co-op at Jeffery Golkin Partners in New York City, where she is gaining valuable legal experience.

How did Sudan Descend into a Civil War and Humanitarian Crisis?

Julia Evers is a second-year student from Medway, Massachusetts pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Affairs. With a strong passion for global affairs, Julia is greatly interested in international relations and diplomacy, security and resilience studies, and the legal field. Beyond academics, she works as a campus leader as a Husky Ambassador and prioritizes service and community engagement as a member of Kappa Delta sorority. Julia is excited to explore her interests on a Dialogue of Civilizations program where she will study climate resilience in Bali, as well as on her upcoming co-op where she will work in ethics and compliance at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.

What Makes Switzerland Neutral, and How is This Policy Changing in Recent Years?

Abby Coca is an undergraduate at Northeastern University studying Political Science and International Affairs, with a minor in Law and Public Policy. Her interests in global governance and developing international relations have been driven by her summer spent in Geneva, Switzerland, working as a visiting research fellow at the United Nations headquarters. Witnessing live diplomatic efforts taking place firsthand and speaking with ambassadors from Switzerland and around the world have inspired her curiosity in the notion of armed neutrality, and conflicts as a whole. On campus, Abby is involved in Husky Ambassadors, Phi Alpha Delta, the international pre-law fraternity, and Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honors society. She is eager to continue her studies in international law and is currently on co-op at Goodwin Procter.

The Kremlin’s New Digital Frontier: How Globalization Revived Soviet Active Measures in the Modern Era

Maxwell Goodman, a rising sophomore from Los Angeles, studies History and International Affairs at Northeastern University with a minor in Russian Language. His academic interests center on Soviet and post-Soviet political culture, and the strategic use of media, language, and propaganda in shaping state power and public memory. A classically trained violinist, he studies at the New England Conservatory and will continue his Russian studies this summer at the Middlebury Language Schools. As a 2025 Jeffrey Burds Fellow, Maxwell will be assisting Professor Erina Megowan on research into Soviet war journalism and cultural propaganda during World War II.

A New Era of Protectionism and What it Could Mean for the Future Landscape of International Trade

Tamarron Austin is a first-year student studying economics and physics, with a keen interest in addressing socioeconomic challenges through his academic work. Growing up in a community impacted by these issues has had a considerable influence on his studies and aspirations. He is particularly interested in how economic policy and scientific research can work together to underpin sustainable economic development.

Geopolitical and Historical Motivations Behind the War in Ukraine

Ben Henschel is an undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Spanish and Communication Studies with a minor in History. On campus, he is a peer tutor, a session leader with the Northeastern Culture and Language Learning Society, and a member of Sigma Delta Pi, a national collegiate Spanish honors society. As a passionate social science student, Ben participated in Northeastern’s Dialogue of Civilizations program in Spain, studying the country’s regional political conflicts. Ben has also pursued a co-op in Guatemala as the Education Leadership Intern at a K-9 school, as well as a semester abroad studying in Madrid, Spain.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its Implications on Global Geopolitics and Trade

Theodore Gray is a rising 3rd-year student from Ipswich, Massachusetts, studying International Affairs and Economics. Growing up in a historical town naturally drove Theodore’s interests towards government and social issues. His interest in International Affairs was first piqued by spending the summer before high school in Beijing, where he witnessed the Trade War with the United States from a non-American perspective, realizing the complexity and importance of international relations and its direct intersection with trade and economics. China, as the rising preeminent global actor, has remained of particular academic interest to Theodore, and his other interests center on development economics and social justice in global trade. Outside of class, Theodore enjoys socializing with his peers, engaging with his campus community, and spending time outdoors, particularly on the water. Theodore will be co-oping this fall in the Consumer Advocacy and Response Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Why is Saudi Arabia Spending Billions on Sports?

Matthew Martucci is an undergraduate at Northeastern University and is a double major in International Affairs and Cellular and Molecular Biology. He believes that the intricate and complex world of international relations and geopolitics is one to be analyzed, respected and improved upon to create a better global society. In addition to writing about global policy Matthew has interned as a representative of the Borgen Project to garner support for poverty-reduction legislation and the International Affairs budget. When he is not involved in international affairs Matthew enjoys learning new languages, traveling and exploring other cultures, and his New England Patriots.

Reputation as a Compliance Mechanism: The Efficacy of Shaming the People’s Republic of China for International Law Violations

Sara Flynn graduated in May 2024 as an International Affairs major and International Security Studies minor. She studied abroad in Spain and Switzerland as well as completed two Co-ops that largely inspired her passion for international law and global governance. Her first Co-op was at the Negotiation Task Force at Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, and the second at the Institute for Economics and Peace.

In a League of its Own: The United States and Climate Policy Non-Compliance in the World-System

Nylah Hill is a 4th year International Affairs and Economics Major who is also pursuing a M.A. in International Affairs with a Concentration in Sustainability and Climate Change Policy through the Plus-One Program. They’re most passionate about the intersection between economic development and sustainability policy. Specifically, she is interested in an interdisciplinary approach to enacting sustainable policies as a mechanism to encourage economic development internationally. For their upcoming co-op they are pursuing Environmental Policy Research through the Sustainability Science Lab, which focuses specifically on community engaged research to better environmental decision making. Outside of the classroom, she is involved in the International Relations Council and Husky Ambassadors and have participated in abroad opportunities in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Jordan, and the U.A.E.

Humanitarian Mine Action in Peace-building: The Dangers in the Politicization of Aid Work

Mariana Caplan is a third-year pre-law student at Northeastern, studying International Affairs. She has developed an interest in international labor forces, migration, and humanitarianism during her time in the international affairs program at Northeastern, and hopes to one day practice international law. In her free time, Mariana enjoys travel, playing rugby, and cooking.

Robots and Artificial Intelligence – How Artificial Intelligence Could Change the World

Surplus Over Sustainability: The Effect of U.S. Agricultural Policy on Foreign Trade with Mexico

Combating Climate Change: Women, SIDS, and Indigenous Communities

Inequality in Brazil

Inequality in Brazil

Inequality in Brazil

Inequality in Brazil

What is China’s Involvement in the South China Sea and How Does it Impact International Relations With Other Actors in the Region?