SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

American University · Washington, D.C.

Graduate Research Award Recipients

Ten graduate students were recently awarded grants by the School of International Service and the Graduate Student Council to offset costs associated with research projects and conference papers. These remarkable students personify the academic excellence, ingenuity, and collegiate cooperation that make SIS and its programs exceptional.

The research award winners were also featured in the Spring edition of the Diplomatic Pouch [PDF]

Elisabeth Johnson, MA '08
International Politics

Elisabeth Johnson's research project seeks to understand the wider context of Leyla Sahin v. Turkey, a decision by the European Court of Human Rights that upheld the ban on the Islamic headscarf in Turkish Universities. She will use her award to offset the costs of travel to Turkey.

Using case study methods to analyze the Court's decision and field interviews with Turkish nationals, her project will examine the reasoning behind the decision, its relations to a greater field of international human rights theory, as well as the experience by Turkish women of the potential violation itself.

Marianne Jonsson, MA '07
Comparative & Regional Studies

Marianne Jonsson attended the Association of Third World Studies' annual conference in Lima, Peru last November to present her thesis: "Moving Forward? A Cross-Regional Comparative Study in Militancy and Democracy in Nigeria's Fourth Republic." Marianne's interest in Nigeria started when she took Professor Mittelman's graduate research seminar on globalization, development, and conflict during her sophomore year. "I spent most of my time researching the effect of the oil industry and multinational corporations on development and conflict in the Niger Delta," she said.

With support from the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, Marianne went to Nigeria for the summer of 2005 to research civil society initiatives to further women's empowerment and women's rights. When she returned, she started graduate studies and focused on militancy and democracy in Nigeria's various geographical regions. "I had a wonderful time at SIS," she said. "I love how committed the faculty are to their students, their work, and their international experience."

Jesse Kirkpatrick, MA '08
Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs

Jesse Kirkpatrick's research grant will take him to northern Israel and southern Lebanon to supplement previous on-the-ground data collection in support of his thesis: "Just War Theory, Normativity and Criterial Stringency: The (Mis)use of Cluster Munitions." His concern regarding cluster munitions began as an undergraduate, when he helped organize a conference on the humanitarian effects of landmines and cluster bombs.

In his graduate coursework, Jesse has focused on the moral and legal issues surrounding the use of force in violent conflict, specifically in the Middle East. After Israel's war with Lebanon in 2006, Jesse began researching the conflict and the use of cluster bombs within the theoretical framework of just war theory. "My experience in Israel and Palestine, my coursework and conference experiences, all helped shape my current research, which focuses on the use of force in international relations and the proposed introduction of an additional criterion in just war theory."

Valerie Kirkpatrick, MA '08
Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs

For Valerie Kirkpatrick's research project, "Arab Refugee Women – A Question of Empowerment," she will travel to Amman, Jordan this spring to conduct interviews with Iraqi refugee women living in the region.

Women and children account for a large majority of the 750,000 Iraqi refugees in Jordan and are at risk for various types of exploitation. Valerie's research explores this crisis with the purpose of identifying ways that Iraqi women in Jordan can be empowered to overcome the risks particular to their situation. "I hope that the research for this project will serve as a practical tool that can be used by both members of the academic community and professionals working to support refugee women in the Middle East."

Limnyuy Konglim, MA '07
Comparative & Regional Studies

Limnyuy Konglim will use her award to conduct field research in Uganda in support of her paper: "Implementing Universal Education at the Expense of Quality: Urban Primary Schooling in Uganda." Her focus on Uganda began while studying at SIS when she became aware of the war in the Northern region. Limnyuy traveled to the area during the summer of 2006, where she was exposed to Universal Primary Education in Uganda and the fight against corruption in the education system.

Limnyuy's interest in Africa was prompted by her own heritage. "I was born and raised in Washington, D.C., but my family is Cameroonian," she said. "I have always been deeply ingrained in our culture and decided to pursue graduate studies in African development."

Courtney C. Radsch, PhD '09

The graduate research grant allowed Courtney Radsch to travel to the Middle East Studies Conference (MESA) in Montreal, Canada last November, where she presented a paper entitled "The Relational Logic of Journalism and Politics in the Arab World."

Courtney's interest in Arab media and politics stems from her professional experience as a journalist. Her work focuses on the role that new media—specifically satellite television and blogs—plays in Arab politics in Egypt and Lebanon. "Attending this conference was extremely valuable academically, because of the feedback I received on my paper in advance of heading back out to the field, and professionally thanks to the valuable contacts I made."

Régine René, MA '08
International Communication

As a second generation Haitian immigrant born and raised in the U.S., Régine René's heart belongs to both countries. Her research grant will allow her to conduct research on second generation Haitian immigrants residing in the U.S. and their connection with Haiti. "I wanted to increase my knowledge about where people stand when their identity includes multiple cultures," said Régine.

Her project is called "Second Generation Haitian Immigrants in North America: Is there a connection strong enough to empower socio-economic development in Haiti?" Régine will analyze how this generation identifies itself in reference to Haiti and the social factors that motivate them to participate in Haiti's development. Her principal question: After over 40 years in America, is the Haitian Diaspora interested, willing, and able to give back to their homeland?

Alice J. Wuermli, MA '08
International Development

Alice Wuermli's research will take her to Buenos Aires this summer, where she will evaluate the lives, challenges, and future prospects of the cartoneros (garbage pickers), a group that makes up a substantial portion of the informal occupational sector in the country. Her project's working title is "Cartoneros - The Push and Pull of Scavenging in Post-Crisis Argentina."

Her thesis identifies the factors supporting the formation of social capital and political engagement, and attempts to identify policy recommendations with regards to the garbage pickers. During her time in Buenos Aires, she will work with NGOs, cooperatives, and government officials who interface directly with the cartoneros or indirectly through involvement with a solid waste project currently in process.

Jennifer Zewin, MA '08
and Lisa Farhamy, MA '08
U.S. Foreign Policy

Jennifer Zewin (pictured) and Lisa Farhamy co-authored a paper entitled "Rethinking the Nonproliferation Regime: Weapons of Mass Destruction and Small Arms," which they presented at the International Studies Association – Northeast/National Political Science Association 2007 Annual Conference in Philadelphia last November. Their research grants offset the costs of attending and presenting at the conference.

While working as a research assistant for the Akribis Group's Center for Terrorism and Intelligence Studies, Jenn became interested in how the rise of non-state actors on the international scene affects how governments and international organizations respond to security threats. She continues to pursue her interest in this area as she focuses her studies at SIS on security issues and the Middle East.