Co-Editor in Chief

Adhithya Krishnan is a second year Master of Global Affairs (MGA) Student at the University of Toronto. He earned an Honours. Bachelor of Commerce (summa cum laude) undergraduate degree from McMaster University; his specialization was in Finance & Human Capital Management. He has also earned a Diploma in Business Administration from the McMaster Centre for Continuing Education. Professionally, Adhithya has had significant experience in the private and public sector, from Scotiabank to ISED, with the government of Canada. Currently he is a Junior Fellow at Massey College, and a Lupina Fellow at the Innovation Policy Lab in the Munk School. In addition to this he does research on the European carbon markets, and is proud to be the co-editor in chief of Global Conversations.

Co-Editor in Chief

Dan McDowall is a second-year student in the Master of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He completed his undergraduate degree at Queen Mary University of London in History, and his interests are in international security and diplomacy.

Director of Long-Form Content

Regan McCort is a second-year Masters of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She received a Bachelor of Arts specializing in International Relations from the University of Western Ontario. Her fields of interests include climate action, diplomacy, and human rights.

Director of Long-Form Content

Roberto Fusciardi is a second-year Masters of Global Affairs student at the University of Toronto’s Munk School. He received an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction from the University of Toronto, studying International Relations, History, and Political Science. As a graduate student, his areas of interest include global security, global policy, international law, and diplomacy. He is hoping to build on his previous work experience at the International Maritime Organization to path a career in the Foreign Service.

Director of Short-Form Content

Rida, a second year Master of Public Policy Student, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her academic journey. With a solid foundation in economics, she holds a master’s degree in applied economics, a testament to her commitment to understanding the intricacies of the economic landscape. Rida's passion for public policy and global affairs is a driving force behind her pursuit of a second master's degree, dedicated to addressing and solving some of the world's most pressing issues. Her educational and professional journey showcases her unwavering dedication to making a meaningful impact on a global scale. Rida's unique perspective is driven by her desire to see issues through a global lens, with the intent of solving local problems, exemplifying her visionary approach to the challenges of our time.

Coordination Associate

Leoni Reusing is a double degree Master of International Affairs/Master of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and the Hertie School in Berlin. She completed her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sussex in Media and Communications.

Associate Editor

Cameron Vrckovnik is a first-year student in the Masters of Global Affairs program at the Munk School. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, double majoring in History and Political Science. His research interests focus on the intersections between international conflict, foreign policy, and history. Cameron is an Associate Editor at Global Conversations.

Associate Editor

Aurora Schatz is a first-year Master of Public Policy student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She completed her undergraduate degree at Western University in Political Science and Media Information and Technoculture. Her current research interests include climate governance and sustainable urban development. She is currently an associate editor at Global Conversations.

Associate Editor

Avana Mohandesi is a second-year student enrolled in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. At Munk, Avana works as a consultant at the Public Good Initiative, a student-led organisation that facilitates collaboration with Ontario's non-profit sector. In 2021, Mohandesi earned a bachelor's degree in economics and performance and communication arts from St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York, USA. As an undergraduate, she served as the President of A.S.I.A, a multicultural organization on campus focused on advocacy, racial justice and cultural exchange. During her college career, she also had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark where she was awarded a grant to explore the performing arts culture and communities in Paris, Prague and Copenhagen. Upon earning her degree, Avana moved to Washington, D.C., where she began a fellowship program at (RED), a nonprofit organization devoted to addressing the AIDS/HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Associate Editor

Olivia Paul is a first-year Master of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She grew up in Toronto, London, Geneva, and Singapore, and completed her Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Degree in Political Science at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Olivia is ecstatic to join the Global Conversations team this year as an Associate Editor, and looks forward to sharing her lifelong enthusiasm for grammar, which has always made her outstandingly popular. When she’s not scouring articles for improper semicolon use, she enjoys researching U.S. and Middle East politics, exploring new areas of Toronto, and worst of all, indulging in every reality TV show that Netflix produces.

Feature Issue Contributor

Napas Thein is a Master of Public Policy Student at the University of Toronto interested in peace, conflict, and economic development. He has previously taken on roles which had him analyzing instability in the Sahel, Myanmar, natural resources, and democratic development. He is interested in further analyzing pathways to democracy, democratic decline, and conflict networks around the world.

Feature Issue Contributor

Andrew McKay is currently an MGA1 interested in global security as well as financial and economic regulation at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Previously, Andrew completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies at Queen's University.

Feature Issue Contributor

Autry Johnson is a candidate for the Master’s of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He achieved his undergrad at Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a double major in International Relations and Comparative Cultures in Politics with a minor in European Studies. His Father is First Nations: Potawatomi of the Neshnabeg and his Mother is Ho-Chunk, Ojibwe, and French-Quebecoise. Due to his upbringing on his father’s reservation, Autry’s interest in policy focuses on the theory of colonialism and postcolonialism applied to contemporary domestic and global issues.

In addition, Autry enjoys analyzing global border issues, human rights, and their intersectionalities with domestic and international security as well as the effects of illicit markets.

Feature Issue Contributor

Annabelle Dravid, currently a first-year Master of Public Policy student at the Munk School, recently earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Public Policy, and Law from the University of Toronto Scarborough. Her academic focus revolves around dissecting healthcare policies, particularly within Canada's universal healthcare system, with the aim of identifying pathways for more efficient and sustainable enhancements.

In addition to healthcare, Annabelle is deeply interested in exploring the intersections of immigration policies, immigrant settlement strategies, and international education accreditation. Annabelle seeks to develop innovative approaches that facilitate seamless immigrant integration into Canadian society while also examining how educational systems and workplace accreditation can elevate opportunities for newcomers.

Feature Issue Contributor

Maria graduated with an undergraduate specialization in History & Political Science and a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the University of Toronto. Her interests and academic publications revolve around the sociopolitical challenges minority groups and impoverished communities face. As research assistant, she has experience with data synthesis and analysis skills.

Feature Issue Contributor

Sarah Afiane is in her first year at the Munk School for a Masters in Global Affairs. She plans to focus her studies, and career, in economic policy and its relations to the digital world.

Feature Issue Contributor

Steffi Hebel is a first year MPP student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science and a Certificate in German Language and Culture from the University of Guelph. Her policy interests include topics such as state building, identity, and comparative politics.

Podcast producer

Born in Canada and raised in China, Alexander is a First Year Master of Public Policy Candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Holding a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University with a concentration in international development and urban geography, Alexander currently serves as the podcast producer at Global Conversations. Having spent 18 years growing up in China as a 'foreigner,' he brings a unique perspective to exploring the intricate dynamics of cross-cultural perceptions and interactions. Through his role as the podcast producer, Alexander aims to normalize cultural differences by fostering conversations between once foreign cultures, seeking to understand and appreciate the richness in our diverse cultures and traditions. As he progresses in his master's program, Alexander aspires to make a meaningful impact in the realm of global affairs and public policy.

News-Watch Contributor

Parisa Karamlou is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto’s Munk School. Her undergraduate degree was in Business Management (BSc) at the University of Nottingham. Her research interests broadly lie in Global Development and Human Rights with a particular focus on the Middle East and Gender. She hopes to pursue a career in multilateral organisations and international development consultancy

News-Watch Contributor

News-Watch Contributor

Rubaiyet Binte Nazmul is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto’s Munk School. She had completed BSc in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology. She completed MSc in Renewable Energy & Technology from the University of Dhaka. She started her career as a System Engineer in Grameenphone, a leading telecom operator in Bangladesh. In 2019, she joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka, she worked in the Consular wing, Administration wing, International Trade, Investment & Technology wing, North America wing and South America wing. After completing her master’s program at the University of Toronto, she hopes to go back to Dhaka to join the Ministry. She is particularly interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, energy security, technology and climate issues.

News-Watch Contributor

Wu Yang is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the Munk School. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, majoring in Political Science and International Relations, and minoring in History. He has a keen interest in the development of political ideas as well as foreign policy, particularly with a regional focus on East and Southeast Asia.

Social Media Associate

Ada Trybuchowska is a highly motivated Master of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She graduated with honours, earning her undergraduate diploma in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from King's College London, where she was elected the Associate of King's College. Ada has showcased her proficiency in social media management, data analysis, and content creation through her roles as a Social Media Officer at the International Congress of Polish Student Societies and as a Marketing and Digital Media Intern. In addition to her academic pursuits, Ada works as a Video Game Translator. She has represented UN Women UK as a Delegate and contributed her time to volunteering at the White Eagle Club, supporting Ukrainian soldiers. Ada is also a trained classical pianist and violinist interested in video game creation.

Social Media Associate

Yuruo Shen (Rey) is a first-year graduate student in Global Affairs at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Zhejiang University, and a joint master’s degree from the London School of Political Science and Economics and the University of Southern California. Rey has one year of industry experience in marketing and anti-discrimination event planning in Los Angeles. Her area of interest includes North-Eastern Asia, immigration, social equity, and public diplomacy.