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Institute for African Development

Cornell Students' Immersive Short-term Research Experience in Malawi

David, Christina, Sabine, Mwapi, Esther, Bryn and Anita Chitaya
April 21, 2026

In January 2026, Professor Rachel Bezner Kerr traveled with Sabine Paz-Le Draoulec (Environment and Sustainability) and Bryn Terwilliger (Agricultural Science) to Ekwendeni, Malawi.

The purpose of their trip was to learn about Malawian rural communities and participatory research on agroecological farming methods, climate change adaptation, nutrition and addressing social inequities such as gender.

Alongside Dr. Bezner Kerr and her collaborating research partners, Soils, Food and Healthy Communities (SFHC), Bryn and Sabine took part in current research activities for the AGILE for Climate project which is focused on participatory research with 100 farmers on agroecological methods for climate change adaptation and several other research activities. At SFHC, students joined others to carry out ongoing training and research activities on a range of topics, including agroecological practices, regional markets, climate services and food waste.

The primary objectives were to contribute to participatory, interdisciplinary research on climate change adaptation in agri-food systems in northern Malawi and to gain insights into food security and sustainable agriculture challenges in Malawi. Activities included farmer interviews, focus group discussions, field visits and data collection, possibly testing different weather information delivery methods and helping to coordinate a project workshop to share current findings with farmers and discuss next steps. The students also had other opportunities, such as visiting urban agroecological markets and participating in recipe exchanges and field days. 

Additional Information

Information Session: Careers for International Relations Minors

April 29, 2026

11:00 am

Join the International Relations Minor for a virtual career information session featuring Cornell alumni working in diplomacy, education, and law. Panelists will reflect on their career paths, share advice on internships, graduate school, and professional transitions, and answer student questions about careers connected to international relations.

Register here.

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Speakers

Eric Andersen is the Political-Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique. Having joined the U.S. State Department in 2009, he previously served as Political Counselor (Acting) in Islamabad, Pakistan. His other assignments have included Cairo, Kyiv, and Khartoum, as well as in Washington, D.C. as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Prior to entering the Foreign Service, he spent four years on Capitol Hill as a Professional Staff Member for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. In his first stint with the U.S. Government, he flew the SH-60B “Seahawk” helicopter as an aviator in the U.S. Navy. He holds an M.A. in Security Policy from the George Washington University, and a A.B. in English Literature from Cornell University (Class of 1996).

Angie Yucht Swenson, M.S.Ed., Ed.M., is the founder and principal tutor of AYS Tutoring and Consulting, a practice she launched after more than a decade working in both private and public schools across New York City. She specializes in supporting elementary through high school students with learning challenges and has worked with families from diverse international backgrounds, including Russia, Israel, and France. Angie graduated from Cornell University in 2010, majoring in Human Development and minoring in International Relations, followed by a master’s in General and Special Education from Hunter College, and a master’s in School Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. She resides in NYC with her husband, two daughters, and a goldendoodle.

Emma Marshak is a commercial litigator in Washington, DC who specializes in judgment enforcement. She has enforced domestic and international judgments, including awards from investor-state arbitration, in federal and state courts across the United States.

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This session is presented by the Einaudi Center for International Studies. The International Relations minor is open to all Cornell undergraduate students interested in learning about the politics, economics, history, languages, and cultures of the world.

Additional Information

Program

Einaudi Center for International Studies

Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies

East Asia Program

Southeast Asia Program

Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Institute for African Development

Institute for European Studies

South Asia Program

Migrations Program

Southwest Asia and North Africa Program

From BRIC to BRICS+: 25 Years That Reshaped the Global Economy. EMC² Distinguished Fellows Series.

April 30, 2026

5:00 pm

Statler Hotel Kerkorian Kemper Amphitheater

Registration Link: https://cvent.me/Qy3NxW

EMC² Distinguished Fellow Series
From BRIC to BRICS+: 25 Years That Reshaped the Global Economy. Fireside Chat Dean Andrew Karolyi and Lord Jim O'Neill

Andrew KarolyiCharles Field Knight Dean, Cornell SC Johnson College of BusinessJim O'Neill, Baron O'Neill of Gatley2026 EMC² Distinguished FellowFormer Chairman, Goldman Sachs Asset ManagementFormer Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, United KingdomKnown for coining the term BRICChair of BRICS+ ThinkingOpening by Lourdes Casanova, Gail and Roberto Cañizares Director, Cañizares Center for Emerging Markets

Lord O’Neill of Gatley
Lord O’Neill is a cross bench peer in the House of Lords. He is Chair of Northern Gritstone, and is also Chair and Co-Founder of a new Policy Platform, BRICS+ Thinking. He is Co-President and formerly Chair of, Northern Powerhouse Partnership. He is a member of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Economic Advisory Council and is Chair of the NeoTest AMC working group launched by CGD. His previous roles include, joint head of research at Goldman Sachs (1995–2000), its chief economist (2001–10) and chairman of its asset management division (2010–13); creator of the acronym BRIC; chair of the City Growth Commission (2014); chair of the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance [AMR] (2014-16); commercial secretary to the Treasury (2015-16); chair of Chatham House (2018-2021). He is a board member, and one of the founding trustees of educational charity SHINE.

Lord O’Neill is a Distinguished Fellow at both The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the 2027 Cornell Canizares Center for Emerging Markets (EMC2). He is an honorary professor of economics, University of Manchester, and holds honorary degrees from the University of Sheffield, University of Manchester, University of Hull, University of London, University of Surrey and from City University London. He received his PhD from the University of Surrey and is now a Visiting Professor there.

A reception will be held after the fireside chat.
Please register to attend and keep posted about this event.

Registration Link: https://cvent.me/Qy3NxW

Additional Information

Program

Einaudi Center for International Studies

Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Institute for African Development

Einaudi Spring Showcase

April 20, 2026

4:30 pm

Statler Hotel, Room E/F

Come and explore international research from students at the Einaudi Center for International Studies. Our undergraduate Global Scholars will present posters on their international aid projects.

Global Scholars Showcase

Global Scholars will present a showcase of their capstone projects providing public commentary and perspectives on international aid.

Undergraduate global scholars consider the multiple perspectives that shape the global landscape of international aid and the communities impacted. They have partnered with Einaudi Center practitioner in residence Paul Kaiser and faculty mentor Ed Mabaya—expert researchers and practitioners on international development—to design their projects. Applications for the next cohort will open in fall 2026.

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The Einaudi Spring Showcase is hosted by the Einaudi Center for International Studies.

Additional Information

Program

Einaudi Center for International Studies

Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies

East Asia Program

Southeast Asia Program

Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Institute for African Development

Institute for European Studies

South Asia Program

Migrations Program

Southwest Asia and North Africa Program

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