The Center for Jewish Civilization is pleased to present the second installment of “The Off Season.” Historically, the CJC has offered guidance on the application process for internships, research positions, fellowships, and jobs. We asked a handful of students what they are up to during this extraordinary summer. Despite unusual circumstances, some of our CJCers have managed to continue their research work and intern remotely. Here is what they had to report!
Maddox Angerhofer
“This summer, I am studying Persian intensively through a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship, while working on a few research projects. In June, along with my 3 coauthors, I was invited to present research from a Spring Centennial Lab with Professor Dan Byman on national security and social media. We presented at the U.S. Army Futures Command Information Warfare Conference. A write up can be found on the U.S. Army website and a recording of the web conference is available on YouTube. Additionally, I am continuing to assist CJC Professor Moran Stern with his research on Palestinian domestic politics.”
Maddox Angerhofer is a rising junior in the School of Foreign Service from Durham, New Hampshire. She majors in International Politics with a concentration in security. Additionally, she minors in Persian and pursuing a certificate in Jewish Civilization.
Matthew Davis
“This summer, I am taking a philosophy class about the TV show BoJack Horseman, as well as interning with Congressman Jim Cooper who represents Tennessee’s Fifth District. Throughout my internship, I am learning about how Congress is adapting during the pandemic. Additionally, I am expanding my knowledge on issues including systemic racism, economic inequality, and voter suppression in Tennessee.”
Matthew Davis is a rising junior in the School of Foreign Service from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Davis majors in Regional and Comparative Studies.
Tara Maloney
“This summer I am working as a research assistant for Dr. Elizabeth Grimm Arsenault (of Georgetown University) and Dr. Tricia Bacon (of American University). We are in the process of writing a book on leadership, decapitation, and the transfer of authority in terrorist organizations. The particular focus of the book is on how leaders of terrorist groups affect the organizational culture and structure, and when a change in leadership occurs, how that transition changes both the new leadership and the makeup of the group. Over the summer, I have been working on researching and writing the empirical case study on al-Qaida in Iraq and, subsequently, the Islamic State of Iraq. The case study explores AQI/ISI as a highly institutionalized group which also existed in an extremely high counterterrorism pressure environment, and under the command of a charismatic and hands-on leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.”
Tara Maloney is a rising senior in the School of Foreign Service from Madison, Connecticut. Maloney majors in International Politics with a concentration in security studies.
Cheyenne Martin
“This summer I am managing social media and doing logistics and research work for a non-profit global classical music organization called Lyrica Classic. I’m also volunteering to help transcribe and translate documents from the Smithsonian and National Archive online. Additionally, I am participating in an entrepreneurship fellowship where I’m creating a podcast on my own. On the podcast I discuss the more taboo topics of YouTube with some of the creators on the site. When I am not doing volunteer work or podcasting, I am completing preliminary research for my history thesis about the musical response to the massive right wing movement during the Thatcher era.”
Cheyenne Martin is a rising senior in the College from Santa Fe, Tennessee. Martin majors in History and is pursuing a minor in both Government and Jewish Civilization.
Ria Pradhan
“This summer, I have spent my time taking classes, doing research, and interning at the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition as a Research and Advocacy Intern. In my role at the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition, I advocate to increase the supply of housing to combat the Bay Area’s regional affordability and displacement crisis.
As a Georgetown University research assistant, I am working with the CJC’s Professor Jacques Berlinerblau on various endeavors relating to secularism. I am also working with Professors Berlinerblau and Shareen Joshi of the Asian Studies Department, on a project about judicial systems and social justice in India. I hope to apply the skills I have gained this summer to my passion for development economics in South Asia.”
Ria Pradhan is a rising sophomore in the School of Foreign Service from the San Francisco Bay Area, and plans to major in International Political Economy.