Elliott School Faculty are Leaders in Effort to Understand Need for Data Governance

Data Gov Hub logo

  Americans created the internet and the business models that supports many of the services that kept the US and global economy vibrant during the pandemic, and data underpins those services. However, policymakers are in the early stages of governing data at the national and international level.

Susan Aaronson, director of GW’s Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub at the Elliott School, is trying to understand what data governance means for democracy, economic growth, innovation, and human rights. Corporations built a new economy using personal (and other types) of data to create new products and services. They also sell their analyses and data sets to a wide range of governmental and corporate customers. Harvard scholar Shoshana Zuboff calls these practices surveillance capitalism because they are built on the analysis of personal data as a product.   

However, these practices undermine political and social stability. If firms can easily use personal data to manipulate customers or voters, these customers or voters have less autonomy and are less able to effectively participate in democracy and trust their fellow citizens.

The business model also poses an indirect threat to democracy. Firms and individuals can mix troves of personal data with other data sets to reveal information about a polity or society, from the level of trust to troop movements. This dependence on personal data poses a multilayered threat to democracies worldwide. Troves of personal data are now not just an asset but a problem for national security policymakers.  

“The only way to regulate these global practices is to work collectively,” Dr. Aaronson said. “That requires that you have shared approaches to everything from combating spam to disinformation to personal data protection and cross-border data flows.”

The Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub, created by Dr. Aaronson and Thomas Struett, has two objectives: to educate policymakers and the public about data-driven change and data governance and to do research on data governance at the national and international levels. 

In this regard, the Hub created the first analysis of data governance, the  Global Data Governance Mapping project. The Hub team is the first in the world to map the governance of various types of data. The team created a metric of comprehensive data governance built on six attributes: visions and strategies, laws and regulations; human rights and ethical statements; structural changes to government; public participation; and international coordinative efforts.   The Hub is beginning its second mapping of data governance and hope to complete it by June. 

Also in June, the Hub will have its first in person conference on how virtual reality will change how we understand and practice international relations. Students are welcome to attend the Hub’s monthly webinars and events.  Dr. Aaronson is also GWU’s Public Interest Technology lead, and in that regard, she encourages projects and training on new technologies to serve the public.

GW Senior Takes Part in COP26 Conference, Seeks to Be Driver of Change

PHOTO STUDENT Francesca Edralin
PHOTO STUDENT Francesca Edralin

Growing up in an affluent New Jersey suburb of New York City, George Washington University senior Francesca Edralin believes many in the U.S. are in a bubble regarding climate change because they don’t necessarily see the effects of it on a day-to-day basis. But with family roots from the Philippines, a country among the most vulnerable to climate change, she has seen life outside the bubble and maintains there is a disconnect between those directly encountering the climate crisis and those making policy decisions surrounding it.

Her experiences at November’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, further confirmed that.   

Attending as a Storytelling Fellow for Planet Forward, the international affairs major and journalism/mass communications and sustainability minor spent much of her three days chronicling the event from as many viewpoints as possible. The Blue Zone, she said, was where negotiations and delegation meetings took place. The Green Zone was open to the public and more educational. She also documented what was going on outside the conference, as passionate activists lined the streets with signs and chants to make their voices heard. But she feels they fell on too many deaf ears.  

Based on her observations, she could sense those in the Blue Zone—the policymakers—were most interested in their own organizations and governments, while those demanding for change—many of whom were younger citizens—were left outside, a scene she knows all too well. 

“Not everyone has a seat at the table,” Ms. Edralin said. ““While there is a space and growing movement with young people voicing their opinions, I see that a lot of times they don’t have access to the frameworks.” 

She was encouraged, however, by a speech from Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, whom she’d later converse with one-on-one. Sen. Ossoff’s speech resonated with her because of his warning to others in the Blue Zone that young people will face the consequences and be the judges of the action, or lack thereof, taken now. 

“It gives me hope that people like him in the Senate are pushing the climate conversation forward,” she said.  

Ms. Edralin will return to Washington, D.C., this spring from Denmark, where she has been studying during the fall semester. After graduation, she is interested in bringing together the private sector and environmental nonprofits, hoping to hold banks and businesses more accountable for environmental shortcomings. Her experiences at and through GW will be valuable assets as she seeks to become a driver of change and live up to the bargain others before her have failed to do—leave the world a better place than she found it. 

“I know communications will play a big part in whatever I do,” Ms. Edralin said. “I can see issues from all different sides, and I want to be a person who can bridge these gaps. Climate change is an issue that needs a lot more connecting.”

GW Elliott to Honor Retiring Professor Edward “Skip” Gnehm

Skip Gnehm at his desk

Shortly after noon on March 2, 1991, an honor guard in Kuwait City greeted Ambassador Edward “Skip” Gnehm Jr., newly appointed to head the United States’ diplomatic mission in Kuwait. The Gulf War had ended less than a week earlier. Before the new ambassador could step foot in the embassy, it had to be thoroughly searched for land mines and other weaponry.

Now the hard work would begin. The conflict and the preceding Iraqi occupation of Kuwait had ravaged the country. It was up to Ambassador Gnehm to work side by side with Kuwaiti leaders and citizens to rebuild the nation. This he did, establishing close ties in the country.

Today, Ambassador Gnehm is known on the GW campus as Professor Gnehm. Since joining the GW Elliott faculty in 2004, he has taught and mentored countless students and held leadership positions at the Elliott School and across the university. He has also served on the university’s Board of Trustees.

Gnehm is, in fact, a GW alumnus himself, having earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Elliott School. GW has recognized his service to the nation and to the university with many awards, including the President’s Medal. These round out national and international awards that pay tribute to Gnehm’s extraordinary service to his nation and in the Middle East.

Gnehm will soon open a new chapter in a long and storied career. In June 2022, he will retire from academia to focus on a book project of his own and spend time with family and friends. GW Elliott is sending him off with an honor guard of its own, celebrating Gnehm’s distinguished career by establishing a fellowship in his name.

In the words of Alyssa Ayres, dean of the Elliott School: “To honor Skip’s tremendous contribution to GW and his dedication to his students, the GW Elliott School of International Affairs is embarking on a major philanthropic initiative to [establish] the Ambassador Edward “Skip” Gnehm Jr. Fellowship.”

Over the next few months, we look forward to celebrating Gnehm’s many accomplishments with the GW and Elliott communities. You can learn more online about the fellowship initiative and ways you can participate.

Faculty Reflections on COP26

COP26 logo and globe illustration
31 OCT – 12 NOV 2021
GLASGOW

COP26

ELLIOTT SCHOOL FACULTY REFLECTIONS

Earth Illustration

In 2018, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Climate change is moving faster than we are.” The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) taking place now— October 31 thru November 12— in Glasgow, Scotland, confirms Guterres’s statement. The earth is not on track to limit global warming to the 1.5º C agreed to in Paris at COP21.  The reality is that the number and severity of extreme weather events are overtaking efforts to reduce global warming. The countries participating in COP26 were asked to lay out their 2030 emissions reductions targets (NDCs) that align with reaching the net zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, as well as a commitment from developed countries to raise $100 billion dollars in climate finance to offset the damage to the world’s ecosystems and build infrastructure resiliency.

Elliott School faculty from a variety of disciplines weighed in on COP26 topics from the unintended consequences of carbon offsets, to whether nuclear energy has a role to play in slowing carbon based emissions, to a call to reframe the current cynicism around the efficacy of large climate conferences like this one, and the need for financial support for affected nations experiencing the deadly effects of climate change.

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Youth Observer to the United Nations is Elliott School Senior

Tasked with finding the next Youth Observer to the United Nations, an interviewer asked applicant Cynthia Yue, a George Washington University senior international affairs major, what superpower she possessed.

Growing up in Tennessee as a first-generation American and woman of color, Ms. Yue knew creating a better world for all doesn’t just happen at the snap of a finger. It takes hard work, forging relationships and providing opportunities for people from all representations. 

“I don’t have a superpower, but what I can do is see what other people are doing and bring them together by seeing their strengths and amplifying their voices,” Ms. Yue said. 

Ms. Yue earned the job and was inaugurated in August as UNA-USA Youth Observer to the United Nations, where she’s tasked with engaging young Americans and bringing their voices to the table at UN events throughout her one-year term. 

She has done virtual listening and amplifying tours with hundreds of young people across the country, hearing directly from those who will one day shape the policies and procedures of the world. Ms. Yue created a diversity bloc and has set up a case competition with UNA-USA and UNICEF USA so young citizens from all backgrounds and geographic locations can have their voices directly heard. 

“We inherited a broken world and one that was plagued by climate crisis, hunger and systemic inequities,” Ms. Yue said. “What I have seen is that young people are at the forefront of these movements to build back a better world.” 

She is doing all of this while balancing coursework at GW, where she is expected to graduate in May. Ms. Yue noted how understanding Elliott School of International Affairs faculty members have been as she lives out GW’s mission of immersion and service education. 

Ms. Yue first came to Washington, D.C., in high school, when she served as a Senate page. She fell in love with the city and chose GW because it gave her front-row access to change. Ms. Yue, who spent seven years as a UNICEF volunteer, knew early on she wanted to make a difference. She’s doing just that by listening to and lifting all voices who seek progress. 

“We can only make change if the young people are advocating for them, and young people are doing so many great works of activism to make statements and hold our leaders accountable,” Ms. Yue said. “That brings me hope.”

And hope may just be the world’s most influential superpower.  

Alumni Profile- Emma Anderson

International affairs and international development graduate Emma Anderson ’20 sees money through a different lens than others. 

A longtime champion of gender equity, women’s rights and domestic and sexual violence prevention, Ms. Anderson believes allocating and mobilizing financial resources can be a means to redistributive justice. That’s exactly how she approaches her current role as a grants and programs officer for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), focused primarily on Somalia.

“We’re getting money from governments and big organizations that have historically failed women and other marginalized populations, and we’re directly giving women and local partners that money and those funds to do what they need in order to better their own lives,” Ms. Anderson said.  

Working with the IRC since August, Ms. Anderson is particularly drawn to the organization’s commitment to implementation. If it gets a grant or contract, Ms. Anderson said, it doesn’t give the money to a think tank or consulting firm. Instead, the IRC invests in schools, hospitals, domestic violence shelters and water wells, among other things, all while hiring a local workforce. 

That’s the type of work that most motivates Ms. Anderson, who further cemented her passion for helping others at GW. She was involved in the Women’s Leadership Program on campus, in addition to Students Against Sexual Assault. 

“Those were such a critical part of my GW experience,” said Ms. Anderson, who also co-hosted the Elliott School podcast, Foreign Affairs Inbox, as a student. “I’m really proud to be an alum.” 

She also appreciated the opportunity to study abroad at GW, doing so both in South Africa and Jordan. Ms. Anderson, who grew up in Nyack, New York, said those cultural immersions were eye opening, so much so that she’ll set up shop abroad again in January. She will be stationed in Nairobi, Kenya working for the IRC. 

Ms. Anderson always had a drive to make a difference, and GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs was a perfect place to carve out a path where she feels fit to do just that.

“GW is really what you make of it,” Ms. Anderson said. “You can come out of it with such a wealth of experiences and knowledge if you really want to. You get it out of it what you put into it.”

And thanks to Ms. Anderson’s work with the IRC, others in need across the globe are reaping the benefits of what she put into GW.  

Photo Contest 2021: The World Where You Are

The World Where You Are 2021 Elliott School Photo Contest, background image of a world map

Over the past academic year, classrooms that were once confined to Foggy Bottom now span the United States and the world. This year, in an effort to share the diversity of locations and communities our students have experienced throughout the past year, we invited Elliott School students to submit original photos that capture the world where you are.

Finalists

September 11: 20 Years later

9/11 20 years later. Twin towers in the NYC skyline
9/11 20 years later. Twin towers in the NYC skyline

In commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, an event which continues to impact us today, Elliott School faculty have contributed brief reflections on how that day shaped what we do in international affairs. 

To the Elliott School Community: 

Saturday, September 11 will mark twenty years since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. For me, the memory of that morning still remains vivid. I was working in New York City then, running late to catch the subway from my Brooklyn apartment to my job on the Upper East Side, and was buckling a shoe strap when I heard the news that a plane had hit the first tower. The events that followed, as has been well documented, ushered the United States into two decades of a national security focus on global terrorism, and our longest war, Afghanistan. 

Two decades on, how has the world changed, and how has 9/11 affected different aspects of the study and practice of international affairs? We asked some of our faculty members whose work concerns questions of peace and security, geopolitics, Afghanistan and South Asia, and the Middle East to share their reflections on 9/11’s legacy in their worlds. Their observations are as diverse as the regions and fields of their expertise. 

We hope this special edition of our Elliott 360 newsletter offers something for us all to think about as we head into this somber September 11. 

Best regards,
Alyssa Ayres
Dean 

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Celebrating the Elliott School Class of 2021

The graduation celebration recognizes the achievement and hard work of every student at the Elliott School. Each year, the school presents awards for outstanding scholars, ethical leaders, students who demonstrate a commitment to public service, students who aspire to a career in public diplomacy, and students who exemplify the qualities of leadership in international affairs. In addition, the Elliott School honors the outstanding achievements of the dean’s scholars, a highly-selective two-year program for Juniors and Seniors in the Elliott School. Meet these exceptional Elliott School graduates of the class of 2021. Raise High!

Undergraduate Awards

The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes an undergraduate student for superior academic achievement. Jacob Winn was a Fall 2020 Elliott School graduate, having earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs and political science. He was a member of the Dean’s Scholars Program and was inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Jacob’s research on the influence of the Brexit movement on the British Conservative Party will be published in Cornell University’s International Affairs Review, the ESIA Dean’s Scholar’s Journal, and the GW Undergraduate Review and he has presented his findings at a number of research conferences and symposia, including the University of Pittsburgh’s European and Eurasian Undergraduate Research Symposium. During his time in Elliott, Jacob interned at the Office of Personnel Management, the Democratic Governors Association, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

The Edward “Skip” Gnehm Leadership, Ethics, and Practice Prize is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated leadership and ethical thinking during their GW tenure. Ana Paula “AP” Velasco is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and a minor in Film Studies. During her time at GW, she has served as the Content Director for TEDxFoggyBottom, one of the largest student-run TEDx organizations in the world, and the Elliott School Film Series Lead and Moderator for the Leadership, Ethics, and Practice (LEAP) Committee. AP was active in the 2020 Presidential Election as a Communications Intern for Dr. Jill Biden’s team on the Biden for President Campaign, was one of 37 Presidential Inaugural Committee Volunteers during the Biden-Harris Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., and later served as a Programs and Advocacy Assistant at Issue One. AP is a Research Fellow for the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs (GEIA) mapping gender in current academic curriculum and is completing her time as the youngest cohort member at American University’s WeLead Campaign Program, a bipartisan initiative that trains young women to run for office.  

The Edward “Skip” Gnehm Leadership, Ethics, and Practice Prize is awarded to Hezel Haehnel, a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a concentration in International Development Studies and a minor in Economics. She is a member of the University Honors Program and an active leader in the GW community. Hezel has served as an intern for the U.S. Department of Commerce working on various projects related to U.S.-African trade relations. She has also conducted an independent research project on Sino-Ethiopian economic relations, served as a Generation Teach teaching fellow, led the GW Ethiopian-Eritrean Students Association, and organized a fundraising campaign for personal care products in Ethiopia. Upon graduation, Hezel will continue her career in global trade advisory.

The Wilbur J. Carr Memorial Award is awarded to one undergraduate and one graduate student who demonstrates outstanding ability in the study of international affairs while displaying the qualities necessary to be a good citizen and dedicated public servant. Manush Mobarhan is a candidate for a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs, with a concentration in International Politics, and Economics. She spent two of her semesters at GW studying abroad in Santiago, Chile and Paris, France. Manush has worked at the Elliott School’s Institute for Middle East Studies since her first year at GW, as well as other internships at the Fulbright Association, the Ibero-American Center for the Rights of Child, and Bates White Economic Consulting. She has also been an active member of Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Sorority, serving as Secretary her junior year and President her senior year. Manush will be staying in DC after graduation working as a consultant at Bates White, with plans to attend law school in the future.

The John Henry Cowles Prize is awarded to the student who combines overall scholastic achievement with leadership potential. Anthony Vetrano is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a concentration in International Politics and a minor in History. During his time at GW, Anthony has worked as a Colonial Inauguration Leader, a Resident Advisor, and a ‘STAR’ Tour Guide. He also worked as a Peer Advisor where he co-taught the Elliott School First Year Experience course. This past year Anthony has completed internships at World Vision International and the U.S. Department of State. Finally, Anthony has been highly active in student theatre organizations, directing a full-length musical and serving as the Artistic Director of Generic Theatre Company.

The Norman H. Friend Prize is awarded to an undergraduate who combines overall scholastic achievement with leadership potential. Soenke (Zeungkuh) Jordan is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in International affairs with a concentration in International Development. In Spring 2021, he conducted qualitative research with his Senior Thesis titled “Censorship, Surveillance, and State Power in the Chinese Internet.” As a student-athlete, Soenke is the captain of the GW Varsity Sailing Team. Representing GW in over 25 sailing competitions during college, including at the Singlehanded National Championships early this May, he is set to (contingent upon qualification). After graduation, Soenke plans to work in a role that revitalizes the transatlantic partnership between the US and the EU.

Graduate Awards

The Elliott School Graduate Student Prize is awarded annually to  an Elliott School graduate student who, in the opinion of the dean and the faculty, deserves recognition for academic achievements and contributions to the life of The George Washington University. Anna Rose Agnes is a candidate for a Master of Arts degree in Security Policy Studies with a concentration in Cyber and Technology. She is a recipient of the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Scholarship (CySP). Anna is very proud of her tenure as the Chair (and Co-Chair) of the Security Policy Studies Student Board, helping it to grow into the wonderful organization it is today. During her time on the Board, she has enjoyed countless opportunities to work with amazing students, faculty, and staff to put together exciting speaker series events and other programming for her fellow students. Upon graduation, Anna is looking forward to working for the U.S. federal government.

The Walter Roberts Public Diplomacy Studies Award is awarded to a graduate student at the Elliott School of International Affairs for academic excellence and professional aspirations in public diplomacy. This year it is being awarded to two graduates: Saiansha Panangipalli and Halea Kerr-Layton. Saiansha’s passion for public diplomacy is evident in her internships at the Embassy of India in Washington DC, the Moroccan Embassy in New Delhi, and at PAHO. Saiansha’s brilliant writing and strategic planning skills, and her goal of working in public diplomacy after graduation exemplify the spirit and intention of the Walter Roberts Award.  Halea Kerr-Layton has likewise demonstrated outstanding leadership in roles ranging from Presidential Fellow to Strategic Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at GW.  She demonstrated a mastery of public diplomacy skills as an intern last summer working with Global Ties, developing and employing analytics in addition to program development and implementation on a real and virtual level. With unmatched interpersonal and analytical skills, Halea will significantly impact the field of public diplomacy as she pursues her career goals.  

The Wilbur J. Carr Memorial Award is awarded to one undergraduate and one graduate student who demonstrates outstanding ability in the study of international affairs while displaying the qualities necessary to be a good citizen and dedicated public servant. Henri-Nicolas Grossman is completing his Master of Arts degree in Security Policy Studies (SPS) with a concentration in U.S. national security, having received his B.A. in War Studies and History from King’s College London. A native English and French speaker, Henri-Nicolas has researched and written on issues including Russian disinformation, insurgencies and substate threats in Africa, and great power competition in the Arctic. As a board member of the SPS Speaker Series, he hosted distinguished speakers to discuss current affairs. He interned at the Brookings Institution and on Capitol Hill and plans on serving as a security analyst in government.

Spring 2021 Dean’s Scholars

Leah Berkman is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in international development. She is also completing a minor in women’s, gender and sexuality studies. Her project title is ‘The Role of Civil Society in the Co-Creation of the South African National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence.’

Steven David Bernstein is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in Asia. He is also completing a second major in Chinese. His project title is: ‘Taiwan’s Defense Strategy and Artificial Intelligence.’

McKenna Quinn Burelle is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in international economics. She is also completing a second major in economics. The title of her research project is ‘Rural Road Connectivity and its Effects on Access to Health Care: Evidence from India’s PMGSY Project.’

Nicholas Clague is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in security policy. His project is titled: ‘Sanctions Evasion, Import Substitution, and Trade Diversification: Russia’s Response to Western Sanctions on the Russian Defense Industry.’

Alex Erdman is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in international politics. He is also completing a second major in Geography. His project is titled: ‘Language, Party Leadership, and the Construction of Greenlandic Identity.’

Tamara Fazylova is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in International Affairs with a concentration in security policy and a minor in psychology. Her project is titled: ‘Russian Priorities as Understood Through the Domestic Messaging of its Military Interventions in Ukraine and Syria.’

Zoe Garbis is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution. She is also completing a minor in sustainability. Her project is titled ‘Fulfilling the Vision of Colombia’s Gender-Inclusive Peace: The Formal Reintegration of the FARC-EP’s Ex-Combatant Women.’

Maisa Munawara is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution. She is also completing a minor in psychology. Her project is titled: ‘The Indigenization of Mental Health and Psychosocial Services for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh.’

Eleni Christina Pappas is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in Comparative Political, Economic, and Social Systems. She is also completing a minor in Economics. Her project is titled ‘Displaced Producers and Reproducers: The Economics of Gender Equality in Russia.’

Anshul Rajwanshi is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in security policy. His project is titled: ‘Popular Threat Perception and Encryption, a Case Study of Australia and the United States.’

John Salchak is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in international politics. He is also completing a minor in history. His project is titled ‘Out of Our Domain: ICANN, Technical Organizations, and Political Challenges.’

Jacob Winn is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in international politics. He is also completing a second major in political science. His project is titled ‘Brexit: A Fluke, or the Future of British Conservatism? Analyzing the Post-Brexit Conservative Party’s Populist Status Quo.’