Congratulations to recent Elliott School alumnus Yosef Bukhari, MA ’23, who has been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to attend the University of Oxford in England beginning in Fall 2024. He plans to pursue a PhD in international relations, focusing his research on nuclear deterrence.
“We are all so thrilled that Yosef has received the distinction of a Rhodes Scholarship. It is a testament to his hard work and his leadership qualities. I have no doubt that Yosef will go on to excel in his work on nuclear deterrence,” Dean Ayres said. “This honor not only reflects his abilities, but it also brings immense pride to the Elliott School and the faculty and advisors who assisted him.”
The Rhodes Scholarship provides all educational and living expenses for 2-3 years of postgraduate study at Oxford. Scholars are chosen based on outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership potential, and a commitment to “fighting the world’s fight” through potential social impact.
The Rhodes Scholarship is considered one of the world’s most prestigious academic honors. Bukhari joins an extensive network of influential Rhodes Scholar alumni making an impact in fields like government, science, and the arts. Rhodes Scholar alumni include astronomer Edwin Hubble, President Bill Clinton, Ambassador Susan Rice, Senator Cory A. Booker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and journalist Rachel Maddow, to name a few.
Elliott faculty applauded Bukhari on his achievements. “Yosef is an excellent student and was always insightful in my Transnational Security class,” Rollie Lal, Associate Professor of International Affairs, said. “He is a model Elliott graduate, and I am so glad that he will represent us through the Rhodes Scholarship in the future!”
Bukhari describes feeling excitement and some disbelief upon learning of his selection, “I began to imagine myself as a Rhodes Scholar—as already a part of the community. So I definitely began to feel excitement at the realization that I did not need to imagine that anymore,” he said.
Bukhari hopes his research at Oxford will contribute even small steps towards nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. “I aim to answer the question of what size and type of nuclear arsenal is sufficient to deter,” he said.
Bukhari credits GW and the Elliott School faculty for their support during the highly competitive application process. He advises current students to utilize available resources like the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research (CUFR) and the Office of Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships (OGASF) for assistance with applications to many fellowship and research opportunities like the Rhodes Scholarship.
“Dr. Jacob English at the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research; Dr. Lakeisha Harrison, Assistant Dean for Student Services, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ESIA; and Joshua Lissauer and Meg Wurm in Graduate Student Services at ESIA have all supported me in my application. In short, be sure to contact the relevant resource and also your professors. GW and ESIA are well-equipped to support you,” noted Bukhari.
CUFR serves all GW undergraduates and alumni pursuing intellectual development through scholarship, fellowship competitions and undergraduate and postgraduate research participation. OGASF does the same for graduate students.
“The resources at the Elliott School and GW are there to help you,” Bukhari said.
After his Oxford studies, Bukhari plans to return to Saudi Arabia to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, striving for nonproliferation in the Middle East.