Student Publications - Center for International Affairs and World Cultures

Each year, the Center for International Affairs and World Cultures selects the winners of its annual programs, the International Affairs Policy Brief Series, the World Cultures “Explainer” Series, and the Best Paper Prize. Please see the authors and winners below.

World Cultures Explainer Authors

Ben Henschel

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.
Theodore Gray

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.
Matthew Martucci

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.
Sara Flynn

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.

International Affairs Policy Brief Authors

Nylah Hill

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.

Best Paper Prize Authors

Mariana Caplan

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.

View Past Student Authors