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Fletcher PhD Students
Fletcher’s PhD candidates come from around the world, bringing unique perspectives, a wealth of professional experience, and a diversity of interests to the doctoral program. What they share is a commitment to pursuing critical current issues through an interdisciplinary approach. They form a supportive learning network dedicated to academic excellence, adding to the diversity and energy of the Fletcher student community.
Student Profiles
With approximately 50 students engaged in coursework or research, the PhD program is an integral and vibrant component of the Fletcher community. Working alongside our world-renowned faculty, Fletcher doctoral candidates acquire the theoretical and practical skills needed to produce research that will help shape future discourse on international relations.
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Maggie Adomako
MGA, University of Notre Dame
BA, French & Linguistics, University of Ghana
Fields of Study: Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
margaret.adomako@tufts.eduZviad Adzinbaia
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA (Honors), Political Science, Sokhumi State University in Tbilisi
Fields of Study: International Security; Euro-Atlantic Affairs
Dissertation Title: Fighting the War of Tomorrow: Gaining Advantage in the Fog of Disinformation
zviad.adzinbaia@tufts.eduLima Ahmad (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, Women and Gender Studies, International Relations, Bucknell University
Dissertation Title: Afghan Youth, Violence and Resilience: A Multi-Method Study of the War-Affected Generations in Afghanistan
lima.ahmad@tufts.eduDipali Anumol (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
MSc, International Relations (Research), London School of Economics and Political Science
Integrated MA, Development Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
Dissertation Title: Sustaining Movements, Sustaining Selves: Practices of Care, Feminist Activism and Responses to Sexual Violence in India
dipali.anumol@tufts.eduViking Bohman (he/him/his)
MSc (double degree), International Affairs, London School of Economics (LSE) and Peking University
BSc, Political Science, Swedish Defence University
Fields of Study: International Security; International Political Economy
viking.bohman@tufts.eduKarst K. Brandsma (he/him/his)
MMAS, School of Advanced Military Studies, Ft. Leavenworth, KS
MPM, Georgetown University
MA, Webster University
BA, Gonzaga University
Fields of Study: International Security Studies; Political Systems and Theory
Dissertation Title: With Friends Like These: An Examination of Burden Sharing and Military Coalition Defection
karst.brandsma@tufts.eduJessica Catherine Caddell
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BS, United States Military Academy
Fields of Study: International Security; Political Systems and Theories
Dissertation Title: Strategic Success? Russia’s Resurgence in the Information Domain
jessica.caddell@tufts.eduRavi Shankar Chaturvedi (he/him/his)
MIB, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
MBA, Asian Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines & Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
BA, Sociology and Public Administration, Osmania University
Fields of Study: International Business; Technology and International Affairs
Dissertation Title: Estonia’s e-Residency Experiment: An Investigation into the Drivers of Success and Conditions for Scalability and Replicability
ravi.chaturvedi@tufts.eduKate Hua-Ke Chi (she/her/hers)
MA, Economics, Boston University
BBA, Business Administration and Economics, The George Washington University
Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; Political Economy
kate.chi@tufts.eduJoey Ching (she/her/hers)
MA, lnternational Studies, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
BS, Political Science, United States Air Force Academy
Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
joey.ching@tufts.eduNicholas Helldorfer Cicchinelli (he/him/his)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, International Relations and Russian Studies, Wheaton College, Massachusetts
Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; Public International Law
Dissertation Title: Illegible Identities, Institutional Protection Gaps, and Invisible Harms: Examining the Effects of U.S. Refugee Status Determination Processes on Protection Outcomes for Sexual and Gender Minority Refugees and Asylum-Seekers
nicholas.helldorfer_cicchinelli@tufts.eduAmanda Current (she/her/hers)
MSSI, National Intelligence University
BS, Psychology, Truman State University
Fields of Study: International Security; Political Systems and Theories
Dissertation Title: Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap in the Cyber Domain: Assessing Alignment from Theory Application to Strategy Implementation
amanda.current@tufts.eduDanielle Demers (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, Mount Holyoke College
Fields of Study: Human Security; Gender and Intersectional Analysis
Dissertation Title: An Intersectional Analysis of Syria’s Captagon Economy
danielle.demers@tufts.eduAmaia Elorza Arregi (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
JD, Complutense University of Madrid
BSc, Politics & International Relations, London School of Economics
Fields of Study: International Negotiation & Conflict Resolution; Gender and Intersectional Analysis
Dissertation Title: Transnational Solidarity Movements as Mechanisms of Political Transformation in Protracted Asymmetric Conflicts
amaia.elorza_arregi@tufts.eduZoltan Feher
MPA, Harvard University
JD, Pazmany Peter Catholic University, Budapest
MA, American Studies (American History), Eotvos Lorand University
MA, Political Science, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest (joint bachelor’s and master’s)
Fields of Study: International Security; Political Systems and Theories
Dissertation Title: The Sources of American Conduct: U.S. Strategy, China’s Rise, and International Order
zoltan.feher@tufts.eduTarun Gopalakrishnan (he/him/his)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA/LLB (Honors), NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, India
Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; International Organizations
tarun.gopalakrishnan@tufts.eduStuart A. Green
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
MS, Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University
BA, History, Boston University
Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
stuart.green@tufts.eduBrendan Hales (he/him/his)
MS, Defense and Strategic Studies, Missouri State University
BA, Philosophy, Brigham Young University
Fields of Study: International Security; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
brendan.hales@tufts.eduAruni Jayakody (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, English & International Relations, and LLB, Public International Law, University of Queensland
Fields of Study: International Human Rights Law; International Organizations
Dissertation Title: Commitments and Compliance: Impact of Cooperation with International Human Rights Institutions in Sri Lanka and Nepal
aruni.jayakody@tufts.eduEmily Lagarile (she/her/hers)
MA, English, Emporia State University
BS, Systems Engineering, United States Air Force Academy
Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
emily.lagarile@tufts.eduMarina Lazetic (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, Human Rights and Sociology, Bard College
Fields of Study: Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs; International Security
Dissertation Title: Mobilizing Resilience: Forced Displacement and Environmental Justice
marina.lazetic@tufts.eduLilly Min-Chen Lee (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
MA, International Studies, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
BS, Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
Fields of Study: International Security; Technology and International Affairs
min-chen.lee@tufts.eduXiaodon L. Liang (he/him/his)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BSc, International Relations, London School of Economics
Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
Dissertation Title: Military Rule and Military Industry: Prerogatives and InterestsAlex McAuliff (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, Government; Global Studies, Colby College
Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Dissertation Title: The Troubles with Inclusion: Northern Ireland and the Gendered Hierarchies of Peace
alexandra.mcauliff@tufts.eduScott D. McDonald
MA, National Security Affairs, The Naval Postgraduate School
BA, International Affairs, The George Washington University
Fields of Study: Political Systems and Theories; International Security
Dissertation Title: The Potential of Hierarchy: The Impact of Classical Chinese Philosophy on the Taiwan Policy of the People’s Republic of China
scott.mcdonald@tufts.eduJared Miller (he/him/his)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, International Relations, College of William and Mary
Fields of Study: Comparative and Regional Studies; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
Dissertation Title: Transforming Systemic Corruption: The Role of Peacebuilding in Strengthening Accountable Governance
jared.miller@tufts.eduBen Naimark-Rowse (he/him/his)
MPA, Princeton School for Public and International Affairs
BA with honors, International Studies, University of Chicago
Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
Dissertation Title: Dollars and Dissent: Donor Support for Grassroots Organizing and Nonviolent Movements
benjamin.naimarkrowse@tufts.eduSoyoung Oh (she/her/hers)
MIA, Baruch College, City University of New York
BBA, Business Administration, Dongguk University
Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; Development Economics
soyoung.oh@tufts.eduDiana Park (she/her/hers)
MPP, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
MA, Cybersecurity Technology, University of Maryland Global Campus
BS, Foreign Service, Georgetown University
Fields of Study: International Security; Pacific Asia
Dissertation Title: Non-violent Civil Resistance in Authoritarian Cyberspace Environments
dayea.park@tufts.eduMegan Zella Rounseville (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, Economics, Denison University
Fields of Study: Development Economics; Econometric Impact Evaluation
Dissertation Title: Encouraging Behavior Change for Improved Well-being: Three Field Experiments
megan.rounseville@tufts.eduGary J. Sampson (he/him/his)
MSS, Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies, National Sun Yat-sen University
MSSI, College of Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University
BS, Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
Dissertation Title: “Arming to Threaten the Peace”: Enduring PRC-DPRK Ties, Chinese Alliance Management, and Why North Korea Became the First “Axis of Evil” State with the Bomb
gary.sampson@tufts.eduAditya Sarkar (he/him/his)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA LLB (Hons), National Law School of India University, Bangalore
Fields of Study: Comparative and Regional Studies; Migration
Dissertation Title: Politics After the “End of Work”: Rights Claims by “Surplus” Populations and the Negotiation of Political Authority in Small-Town India
aditya.sarkar@tufts.eduIris (Risa) Sobchak (she/her)
MAIR, Pardee School, Boston University
MA, History, Pennsylvania State University
BA, International and Strategic History, United States Military Academy
Fields of Study: International Security; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
Dissertation Title: Too Big to Fail: The Large Project Policy Failures of Nation Building in Iraq
iris.sobchak@tufts.eduKinsey Spears (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
AB, International Relations, Arabic, The University of Georgia
Fields of Study: Gender and Intersectional Analysis; International Security
Dissertation Title: Women, Peace and Security in the United States Military: Roadblocks and Entry Points for ImplementationBethany Tietjen (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, International Studies and German Studies, American University
Fields of Study: International Development and Environmental Policy; Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
bethany.tietjen@tufts.eduAntti Toivanen (he/him/his)
MA, University of Turku
MSS, University of Helsinki
Fields of Study: Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs; Comparative and Regional Studies
Dissertation Title: Safe Havens, Indifferent Hosts, Independent Decision Makers: A Comparative Study on the Role of the Cities and the Civil Society During the European Refugee Crisis 2015-2017
antti.toivanen@tufts.eduStefan Tschauko (he/him/his)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University (with an exchange semester at Sciences Po)
MS, International Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business (with an exchange with Koç University)
Diplom-Ingenieur (FH), Information Management, FH JOANNEUM, University of Applied Sciences
Fields of Study: International Communication and Brand Management; Global Governance and International Organizations
Dissertation Title: Branding and Brand Management in International Organizations – Manifestations, Influence Factors, and the Role in Influencing Performance: The Case of the United Nations System
stefan.tschauko@tufts.eduJames Vansandt
MA, Political Science, Université Catholique de Louvain
BA, History, Freed Hardeman University
Fields of Study: International Security; Comparative and Regional Studies
james.vansandt@tufts.eduAndrea M. Walther-Puri (she/her/hers)
MALD, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
BA, International Relations, Tufts University
Fields of Study: International Security; African Studies
Dissertation Title: Measuring the Effectiveness of U.S. Counterterrorism Assistance in the Sahel
andrea.walther@tufts.eduRyan Young (he/him/his)
MBA, The Kelley School, Indiana University
BS, Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University
Fields of Study: International Security; International Legal Studies
Dissertation Title: Civil-AI Relations: Understanding Opportunity & Risk in AI-Enhanced Governance
ryan.young@tufts.edu
Awards & Fellowships
Fletcher’s doctoral students have regularly received competitive awards and fellowships, including:
- Social Science Research Council, International Dissertation Research Fellowship
- Jennings Randolph Fellowship, United States Institute of Peace
- Pre-Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
- Doctoral Fellowship, The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
- Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Brookings
- Eisenhower-Roberts Doctoral Fellowship
- Morris Abrams Award in International Relations
- Vasey Fellowship, Pacific Forum CSIS
- Graduate Research Fellowship, Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School
- Smith Richardson Strategy and Policy Fellowship and Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
Getting Involved at Fletcher
PhD students participate fully in the life of the Fletcher School, regularly interacting with students in all of the School's degree programs. Within the PhD community, students play a leadership role, ensuring that program offerings meet their needs and interests.
PhD Colloquium
The PhD Research Colloquium is an opportunity for PhD candidates to share and discuss their ongoing research and receive supportive critiques from peers and Fletcher professors. The colloquium also offers sessions on comprehensive exams, proposal writing, the dissertation process, professional development, and PhD life. All current students are encouraged to attend and to take advantage of this opportunity to stay connected, network, and gain insight into the substantive tasks of completing the dissertation. A member of the faculty attends the colloquium, though students take the lead in coordinating many of the activities. Non-resident students are encouraged to join remotely.
Student Leadership
All Fletcher students are encouraged to play a role in governance of the School, whether on the PhD Committee, the policy-making group for the program, the school-wide Student Council, or on Fletcher’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
PhD Committee Student Representatives
Two students are elected each year to represent their peers on the Committee on the PhD Program, which meets several times each semester to consider issues critical to the success of the program and its students. The PhD Committee also includes the PhD Program Director, the PhD Program Academic Director, and other members of the faculty and staff.
PhD Student Group
The PhD Student Group is one of the many groups at Fletcher that receive funding through the Student Council. The group's activities may be social or academic, including a periodic PhD Research Forum that offers students the opportunity to discuss their research with members of the wider Fletcher community.