Brain drain or brain gain? New evidence points to benefits of skilled migration
High-skilled professionals from small or lower-income countries often emigrate in search of greater opportunities. For countries of origin, this population outflow can prompt concern over the loss of human capital– an effect that is colloquially known as “brain drain.” But a new review published in Science reveals evidence that high-skilled migration opportunities can also lead to “brain gain,” increasing, rather than decreasing, a country’s overall stock of educated workers. ...
Announcing Ken Roy as new Diplomat in Residence
The Ford School extends a warm welcome to Ken Roy, who will serve as the new Diplomat in Residence (DIR) for the North Central region. He will offer advice and guidance to students interested in exploring careers, internships, or fellowships with the U.S. Foreign and Civil Service....
Mental health and marriage timing
In a new study, Axinn investigates the dynamics between the social organization of families and parental mental health using data from over 10,000 individuals in the Chitwan Valley, Nepal. Setting his research in Nepal— with its near universal marriage and childbearing practices and pronounced gendered household roles—offered a context to examine the effects of both mothers’ and fathers’ depression on the children. ...
Amy Beck Harris helps students understand the “how” of international development
Before becoming an academic, Ford School Lecturer Amy Beck Harris worked in international development and foreign assistance implementation across Latin America with Chemonics International, the largest international development firm that implements foreign assistance programs, primarily for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Now, Harris is relying on her work experience and to give students at the Ford School a first-hand look into international development and participatory processes....
Camara emphasizes democracy in new collection dedicated to President Mohamed Bazoum
Ambassador Kamissa Camara, Ford School professor of practice in international diplomacy, has contributed to a newly released book, 25 Letters to President Mohamed Bazoum: Philosopher, Prisoner and Resistance Fighter. The book is a collective work advocating for the release of Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s president who has been held captive in his home since Niger’s military coup d’état that ousted him in July 2023....
Atran on the future of Gaza, from Gazans
In a new article published in Foreign Affairs, Scott Atran and co-author Ángel Gómez shine a light on Gazans’ views, highlighting a complicated picture of postwar Gaza. ...
Hassan on AI, power, and decolonial possibility in Africa
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an increasingly defining force, shaping global advancements and influencing crucial aspects of society. Assistant Professor Yousif Hassan’s research examines the social, economic, and political implications of emerging technologies, with a particular emphasis on technological innovation, development, and the digital economy. He recently published a book chapter and a peer-review article focused on the politics of AI in Africa, illustrating how machine learning and natural language processing should not be looked at only as tools for innovation, but can play a role in state-building, development, and cultural preservation....
Security Policy Studies Alumna Leverages International Affairs Knowledge in Consulting Career
Jessica Zayas is currently a Manager at Deloitte where she works with Federal clients to solve complex, large-scale challenges by focusing on organizational change, project management, and business process transformation. She holds an M.A. in Security Policy Studies and a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs....
International Development Student's Interest in Development Finance Leads Her To World Bank Internship
Olivia Cervantes Llamas is a first year graduate student in the Elliott School's M.A. in International Development Studies program. Earlier this year she was a Projects and Proposals intern at the International Development Group (IDG) and will complete her internship at the World Bank at the end of the semester....
Air Force Foreign Affairs Officer Develops Her Expertise In the Middle East Region
My career in the Air Force led me to study at the Elliott School. I was selected to become a Foreign Area Officer, specializing in the Middle East. As part of my training pipeline, the Air Force sponsors regionally-focused graduate education and I am fortunate to be studying at GW, learning from world-class professors....
Maxwell Students Represent Türkiye and Romania at International Model NATO
A delegation of 12 Maxwell School students recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they participated in the International Model NATO under the guidance of Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs and director of the master of arts in international relations program....
Maxwell School Proudly Ranks #1 for Public Affairs in 2025
Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has earned the #1 overall spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Public Affairs Schools rankings. This year’s top ranking follows Maxwell’s yearlong celebration of its founding 100 years ago as the first school in the nation to offer a one-year graduate program in public administration. ...