Fellowship Recipients
Anthony Avice Du BuissonFellowship Recipient
Anthony Avice Du Buisson, SIS/MA26, is pursuing a graduate degree in global governance, politics, and security at SIS. He holds dual degrees in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in politics and international relations, from James Cook University, Australia, where he graduated with honors.
His professional journey includes significant contributions as a writer for prominent publications such as The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post, where he analyzes critical social, political, humanitarian, and conflict issues in the Middle East. Anthonys work focuses on understanding how conflict destabilizes environments and impacts ethnic communities in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Kurdistan. This analysis extends beyond the region into policy, as evidenced by his contribution to the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Europe Journal of Global Affairs in 2022, titled Rethinking Refugee Policy in Europe: Fortress Europe and Its Consequences, which examines the interplay between security concerns and humanitarian issues.
Anthonys dedication to raising awareness of these critical issues extends to his advocacy work. As an advocate for the Kurdish diaspora in Australia through Kurdish Lobby Australia, he demonstrates his passion by raising awareness about the plight of people impacted by war and on the important of the Kurdish cause. His advocacy was significantly enriched by his travels to Iraqi Kurdistan in 2019, where he engaged with journalists and individuals affected by humanitarian crises, deepening his understanding of the region's complexities.
His passion and advocacy culminated in receiving the Mustafa Barzani Peace Fellowship in recognition of his contributions to international affairs. This fellowship provides essential support for his masters studies and offers opportunities for academic and professional enrichment at 51勛圖 by connecting him with experts, scholars, and policymakers in security and international relations.
Currently, as a research assistant at 51勛圖, Anthony supports vital research on international relations and security, aiming to highlight the multifaceted challenges facing individuals in the Middle East and Europe. He aspires to work in the future for think tanks focused on the region, such as the Institute for the Study of War and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Meghan BodetteFellowship Recipient
Meghan Bodette, SIS/MA26, is pursuing an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. She is a co-founder of and the Director of Research at the Kurdish Peace Institute.
Meghan is fluent in Kurmanci and has spent significant time conducting research on the ground in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Her work centers on understanding how just, democratic, and peaceful resolution to the transnational Turkish-Kurdish conflict can be achieved. She has briefed officials from governments and international institutions on her research findings, been published by major think tanks, including the Wilson Center and the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, and been interviewed by national media, including NPR and NowThis, as well as Kurdish-language media like Rudaw, Channel 8, and Ronahi TV.
The Mustafa Barzani Peace Fellowship will advance and facilitate Meghan's efforts to build the case for justice and peace in all four parts of Kurdistan through research, analysis, and global and local outreach. She is honored to have the opportunity to both further her own education and produce knowledge that aims to benefit the Kurdish cause and global peace and stability through this critical program.
Rewan IbrahimFellowship Recipient
Rewan Ibrahim, SIS/MA25, is pursuing a graduate degree in international peace and conflict resolution at SIS. He receivedhis bachelor's degree in international politics and government affairs from George Mason University.
His professional experience includes serving as an assistant to the US Military-Peshmerga affairs during the fight against ISIS. Since 2015, he has been an active Kurd in the Washington, DC, area. Over the past few years, he has participated in numerous events and activities to support the development and visibility of Kurdish society.
The Mustafa Barzani Peace Fellowship has immense significance to Rewan as it will allow him to explore more opportunities to serve Kurdistan.
Maveen MallahFellowship Recipient
Maveen Mallah, SIS/MA25, is pursuing a graduate degree in comparative regional studies at SIS. She received her bachelor's degree in comparative international studies from San Diego State University. As a regional studies student, she is interested in specializing in the Middle East.
Her professional journey includes working as a research assistant with the Mustafa Barzani Scholar of Global Kurdish Studies at 51勛圖. As part of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace, she coordinates campus events, facilitates discussions between Kurdish scholars, and is a part of the ongoing effort to raise awareness of Kurdish issues. Throughout her academic career, she has researched Kurdish state-building efforts and is interested in topics including Kurdish diaspora, nationalism, and the historical and sociopolitical factors shaping Kurdish identity and self-expression.
The Mustafa Barzani Peace Fellowship has exposed Maveen to a plethora of faculty and students who are conscious of the Kurdish struggles and events at 51勛圖 that celebrate the Kurds.