GRI Newsletter June 2022
Last week, GRI and AidData hosted the inaugural W&M China Conference, which convened scholars, thought leaders, and policy practitioners from around the world to discuss China’s growing global influence. What a great way to launch the summer with robust (and in-person!) conversations about these important issues. Nice to host this here at William & Mary — or as Carly Fiorina called it during a keynote session, “the cradle of democracy.”Beyond historical origins, the W&M venue was ideal because GRI produces so many partnerships that result in transformational research on China’s rise. One recent case is my own new book, co-authored with two former students, AidData’s Brad Parks and Austin Strange. In Banking on Beijing: The Aims and Impacts of China’s Overseas Development Program , we analyze China’s 21st century shift from benefactor to banker. In the stories linked below, you can check out some of The Economist’s coverage of the book — from findings on China’s diplomacy in Africa to the effects of its infrastructure investments.I learned so much from both scholars and practitioners last week, and expect to learn much more throughout the summer at GRI — where over 150 students are currently working on projects across GRI’s 10 research labs. Our cohort of 14 Summer Fellows is conducting research with partner organizations all over the world right now, from Georgia to Tunisia to Guatemala. In a few weeks, GRI’s American Bosnian Collaboration Project will return to Bosnia after two years of teaching and researching remotely. I’m hopeful that these experiential learning opportunities will catalyze the types of partnerships that made Banking on Beijing and so many other collaborations possible.Thanks for following our work. If your summer travels bring you to Williamsburg, please stop by to say hello!Best,Mike
Banking on Beijing chronicles China's transformation — in the space of a generation — from a net recipient to a dominant provider of international development finance. China's big-ticket infrastructure projects have generated major economic benefits for developing countries, but have also presented significant risks. These risks, according to the authors, need to be carefully assessed and mitigated. Two new pieces in The Economist engage with findings from Banking on Beijing while exploring China's infrastructure investments and the Chinese-African relationship.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE "BANKING ON BEIJING"
GRI Affiliate Sharan Grewal
As Tunisia prepares to hold a July 25 referendum on a new constitution, GRI Affiliate Sharan Grewal expresses uncertainty over whether Saied's vision for a "new republic" will mobilize large numbers to vote yes.
International Justice Lab
Expelling Russia from the Council of Europe has limited avenues and timeframes for holding Putin's government accountable, IJL Director Dr. Kelebogile Zvobgo and Zoha Siddiqui '23 explain in The Washington Post.
Exodus Project
In a Ms. Magazine article, GRI’s Exodus Project examines how the humanitarian community can put menstrual hygiene at the core of its response to global crises — starting with better access to clean water, period products, and education.
Blockchain Lab
To help students learn more about emerging technology, Caroline Morin '22 and Ann Duke '22 facilitated a course about blockchain and its applications. Under the guidance of GRI Director Mike Tierney, and in partnership with Blockchain Lab alums, the students brought over a dozen blockchain practitioners to campus.
Relocation Analysis Project
Geospatial analysis and local partnerships will play critical roles in responding to climate displacement, according to Lauren Boyes '22, who founded the Institute's Relocation Analysis Project. In a new Diplomatic Courier article, Boyes outlines how her team at GRI used spatial modeling to identify suitable areas for relocation.
William & Mary Global Innovation Challenge
A new publication outlines the winning pitches and student ideas that emerged when W&M’s Global Innovation Challenge partnered with the Whole of Government Center of Excellence and NATO Allied Command Transformation to host a cybersecurity challenge on the topic of disinformation and election interference in the cyber realm.
Teaching, Research & International Policy Project
TRIP Project's former Research Assistant Nathaly Perez '22 examines how Presidents Biden, Trump, and Obama interacted with the Authorization for Use of Military Force, analyzes the implications of their approaches, and argues for the urgent modification or repeal of this joint resolution.
DC Summer Class
GRI's Mike Tierney and David Trichler taught a course on policymaking through W&M’s DC Center that brought students to the World Bank, Dept. of State, Capitol Hill, and dozens of other sites. Thanks to W&M alums for sharing expertise and critiquing policy memos.
American Bosnian Collaboration Project
New research from Director of the American Bosnian Collaboration Project, Paula Pickering, investigates when citizens in Bosnia-Herzegovina take civic action — finding that the most commonly cited motivations relate to tackling concrete everyday problems and helping those in need.
