As GDL begins the second year of our Pathways to Political Science internship program, we caught up with internship alumni Mohammed Bah, Saumyaa Gupta, Sikelelwe Mtshizana, and Yvonne Ilupeju. Mohammed, Saumyaa, and Yvonne will all begin graduate programs in the fall, and Sikelelwe is completing her Master of Social Sciences program at the University of Cape Town. Please join GDL in congratulating our alumni on their university graduations, graduate school admissions, and many professional successes!
What have you been working on since your GDL internship ended?
Mohammed: Since my graduation from the University of Rochester, I have been involved in the New York City Urban Fellows Program, a fellowship focusing on urban issues and providing first-hand exposure to the public sector. Through this fellowship, I have been placed with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, where I am advancing policies and tackling issues related to wastewater treatment and water management.
Saumyaa: This academic year, I continued working as a research assistant for [GDL graduate affiliate] Elizabeth Parker-Magyar, where I was able to further develop my methods and Arabic language skills. Additionally, I devoted significant time to developing my honors theses for my majors in political science and psychology at Beloit College. For my psychology major, I delved into investigating the levels of trust in authoritarian regimes through the lens of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Specifically, I explored how these regimes fulfill the basic needs of their citizens and how this correlates with their trust in them. In my political science thesis, I collaborated closely with my undergraduate advisor, Professor Beth Dougherty, to analyze the circumstances under which concessions lead to demobilization within protest movements in Jordan.
Sikelelwe: This academic year, I have primarily focused on my Master’s thesis, which examines inconsistencies in South Africa’s foreign policy. Specifically I am contrasting South Africa’s response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine with South Africa’s response to the 2023 Gaza conflict. This work is part of the second year of my Master of Social Sciences program at the University of Cape Town. After my time at MIT, I recognized the importance of enhancing my statistical and coding proficiency, prompting me to undertake short courses in R and SQL. Additionally, I’ve taken on the role of co-founding and directing the Politics Postgraduate Project Management Group (PPPMG) within our department. The PPPMG is an initiative which aims to enhance the postgraduate experience by providing research skills workshops, writing support, and professional development opportunities. I’ve also been actively engaged as a teaching assistant and tutor within the department.
I have had the privilege of contributing to an analysis piece on South Africa’s 2024 elections published earlier this year in The Continent, an online platform covering African affairs. I am also engaged as a Researcher for 18 months with the Reach Alliance team, which is affiliated with the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. In this role, I am conducting research on how innovations are implemented to impact hard to reach populations to further Sustainable Development Goals. I am also involved in a short-term project as a Risk Intelligence Analyst where I am developing country risk content for an intelligence portal with the Healix Group.
Yvonne: Following the GDL fellowship, I returned to Ghana, where I graduated from my master’s program at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in March 2024. My master’s thesis, titled “The Political Ecology of E-Waste Smuggling into Ghana,” explores the complex dynamics and environmental impacts of illegal e-waste smuggling. During my second year of the master’s program, I was honored to receive both an academic scholarship and a research grant from ILLECO (Environmental Crime and Illegal Ecologies) under the Independent Research Fund Denmark. This support was instrumental in advancing my research and concluded in January 2024. Following the completion of my thesis, the research grant from ILLECO was renewed and extended for another year, contingent on producing publications and engaging in joint collaborations. Currently, I am conducting research with ILLECO focusing on environmental crime and illegal ecologies. Alongside this work, I have also been active as a freelance field researcher for both academic institutions and private firms.
What are your plans for the coming year?
Mohammed: This fall, I will be attending the University of California, Irvine to pursue a Doctoral degree in Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy. I am excited to further my education and research in this field and contribute to addressing pressing environmental challenges.
Saumyaa: I will begin my PhD in Political Science at Yale University in the fall. Following my graduation from Beloit College, I plan to attend UW Madison’s Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Language Institute to enhance my proficiency in Arabic.
Sikelelwe: Following graduation, my immediate plan is to pursue employment in the industry to cultivate practical experience, refine my research skills, and consolidate the direction of my doctoral studies. I am resolute in my aspiration to pursue a PhD in the near future. However, I believe that gaining industry experience will not only enhance my research capabilities and broaden my interest and scope, but will also afford me the opportunity to determine the precise focus of my doctoral research. This approach should ensure that my doctoral studies are aligned with my long-term academic and career goals, as well as the contribution my work will make in the scholarly community.
Yvonne: Following my graduation, I have continued my work as a researcher with ILLECO, focusing on environmental crime and illegal ecologies. This role has allowed me to collaborate with leading experts and deepen my research skills. Additionally, I have been active as a freelance field researcher, providing insights for academic institutions and private firms. This fall, I am excited to begin my PhD in Political Science at Boston University, specializing in Comparative Politics. I look forward to exploring political dynamics and policy responses across different countries and contributing to the academic community through my research.
Looking back on your GDL experience, what were the most valuable aspects of the internship for you?
Mohammed: My GDL internship was incredibly impactful in shaping my post-graduation plans. Not only did I learn valuable research skills, but I also gained exposure to groundbreaking research conducted by MIT professors and graduate students through the weekly seminars. These seminars offered a unique opportunity to understand graduate school admissions and position myself as a strong candidate. The connections I made with graduate students were particularly helpful; their support and advice have been invaluable, and I remain in contact with some of them to this day. Most importantly, my faculty mentor, Professor Noah Nathan, has played a vital role in my journey. His continued guidance and investment in my success, from my time at GDL through the graduate school application process, helped me navigate and select the right doctoral program. The support and resources provided by the GDL team and Dr. Nathan were instrumental in my successful admission to top programs.
Saumyaa: My experience at GDL has been invaluable in shaping my future aspirations. Through my internship, I discovered a deep-seated passion for research and a keen interest in developing quantitative methods skills. At GDL, they hosted info sessions for applying to grad schools and research seminars where I learned more about current research in the field, new methods, and new topics. The guidance and mentorship I received from the GDL community, including faculty, grad students, and mentors, have been instrumental in preparing me for applying to doctoral programs. The supportive environment and ongoing connections I forged at GDL continue to enrich my academic journey, even beyond the conclusion of the program.
Sikelelwe: My GDL internship experience was profoundly influential in shaping my post-graduation plans, particularly regarding pursuing a PhD in the United States. Engaging with faculty members and graduate students offered a unique and enriching opportunity to build meaningful connections, gather insights into their academic journey, research life, and the nuances of graduate life. The internship experience also served as a great opportunity to work and advance my coding and research skills. It catalyzed a proactive approach to further skill development, particularly in statistics, which not only broadens my options when considering PhD programs but also equips me with the necessary tools to thrive in an American graduate program.
Yvonne: My GDL internship experience was incredibly influential in shaping my post-graduation plans. One of the most significant gains was the opportunity to build meaningful connections with esteemed faculty members, graduate students, and my GDL cohort. These relationships provided me with invaluable mentorship and guidance, which played a crucial role in my decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Political Science. The internship also equipped me with advanced research skills and methodologies that have been instrumental in my ongoing work, including my current research with ILLECO and my freelance fieldwork, providing a strong foundation for my academic and professional growth.