The Ford Institute supports student-led working groups that engage with selected human security topics in collaboration with faculty advisors. Through partnerships with local, state, federal, and international organizations, the working groups produce research to contribute to policy analysis and public knowledge.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, the Ford Institute is supporting four interdisciplinary working groups: Closing the Water Gap; Gender Equality in Public Administration (GEPA); Online Violence Against Women in Politics; and Food Security, which includes 6 faculty members and 40 students in total.
Featured Student Statements:
Juliana Monteiro (GSPIA, 2021)
"As a South-South Cooperation Officer at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), my journey reflects the transformative impact of my academic pursuits at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) in particular through the working groups. As a member of the GEPA working group, I worked directly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Headquarters, I conducted impactful research on women's participation in public administration in Latin America and Africa. This experience not only broadened my understanding but also paved the way for practical application in my current role at UNICEF.
The working group provided me with an internship opportunity at the UNDP Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa, where I enhanced my leadership skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, in addition to diverse research tools for data analysis and visualization skills I have gained. These competencies are now integral to my work, as I am responsible for promoting knowledge exchange between Africa and Latin America—the very same regions I engaged with during my time at GSPIA. I am profoundly grateful to GSPIA for its exceptional academic curriculum and the enriching extracurricular learning experiences that have shaped my professional journey.”
Natty Good (GSPIA, 2024)
"My participation in the Gender Equality in Public Administration (GEPA) working group since the Fall of 2022 has been an invaluable professional experience. The working group not only opened many doors for me but also allowed me to deepen my understanding and gain practical, real-world experience in advancing gender equality. One significant outcome of my involvement in the GEPA working group was the opportunity to intern with the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub Gender Team in Bangkok, Thailand.
This experience allowed me to apply the knowledge and skills acquired within the working group to a global context, broadening my perspective on gender-related issues. Beyond the internship experience, my most valuable takeaway from the working group has been the collaborative research and data collection skills.
By delving deeper into the intricacies of including women in public administration and decision-making positions, I gained insights into the realities of governmental hiring policies concerning gender equality. This hands-on experience has not only enriched my academic journey at GSPIA but has also equipped me with practical knowledge that extends beyond the classroom. I would highly recommend future students to participate in working groups at the Ford Institute. The GEPA working group has undeniably contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth."
Ariana Scott, (GSPIA 2024)
"I have been in the working group for over a year and a half and now act as the student lead. The working group has allowed me to learn more about a topic that I am deeply passionate about and take action to make a difference. As a group, we have presented our findings in various lectures and to a variety of groups. One of the best aspects of Closing the Water Gap is all the opportunities we are granted. For instance, we attended the 2023 UN Water Conference in which we were able to network with people who are doing similar work. Additionally, the working group prepared me for my internship where I studied water governance in Kenya. I would not have been as competent in my internship without my experience in the working group."
Joe Skibbens (GSPIA 2020)
“Cultivating ways of working with my peers in the working group, and habituating a rights-first approach has been a central component to my work as a partnership manager conducting international advocacy for food security, agriculture, and nutrition."
Darren B. Owens-Ambrogio, (GSPIA 2015)
"Participating in the Ford Institute for Human Security's working group on Human Trafficking was a great way to augment my graduate experience at GSPIA! These experiences allowed me to delve into specific areas of human security with like-minded faculty and other students that further enhanced my academic and professional development and allowed me to apply knowledge and skills to a current problem of human security.”