Elizabeth Wright, MA Security Policy Studies, #IncomingElliott Current Student
Elizabeth Wright is a recent graduate of Southwestern University who hails from “Smalltown”, Pennsylvania. While pursuing her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science, she spent her undergraduate years immersed in the interdisciplinary nature of the liberal arts model. Through courses on Religion, Political Psychology, and International Affairs, she became interested in conflict resolution, national security, and emerging technologies. While a student, Elizabeth presented research on women in terror during the 11th Biennial Associated Colleges of the South Gender Studies Conference, published her senior Capstone research on surveillance and the national security state in the International Association of Political Science Students (IAPSS) journal, Politikon, and served as a 2017 Young Leader of her current employer, the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Elizabeth is currently preparing to study the implications of artificial intelligence, dragnet surveillance, and drone warfare while pursuing her Masters in Security Policy Studies at the Elliott School.
April 2019 Update: Elizabeth Wright currently examines emerging threats from biotechnology, cybersecurity, and space while pursuing her Masters in Security Policy Studies at the Elliott School. She is a 2019-2020 DACOR Bacon House Foundation Fellow and an Advisory Board Member of Girl Security.
What’s on your bucket list when you get to DC?
I’ve heard each DC neighborhood features premier cuisine from across the globe. If this is true, I can’t wait to allow my taste buds to take a world tour! Beyond DC, I am equally excited to venture into Old Alexandria, Virginia wine country, and more. It’s such a luxury to be located within such a vibrant, historic area and it will be amazing to explore all the DMV has to offer.
Is there anything about moving to DC/starting grad school that you’re nervous about?
It will be interesting to begin the balancing act of full-time employment and a GW graduate education. Though I’m a little nervous about the prospects of burning out, I am hopeful I’ll find time to breathe amidst the chaos of school and work.
What are you looking forward to about starting your MA program?
One of the primary factors in my decision to attend the GW Elliott School of International Affairs was the freedom to explore academically and improve my research and analysis capabilities while expanding beyond the theorization of concepts to gain tangible training from policy practitioners. I hope to spend my Master’s experience growing personally and professionally as I pair the newly oriented intensive curriculum with various opportunities within the Institute for International Science and Technology Policy (IISTP) and Institute for Security and Conflict Studies (ISCS).
What 3 words would your friends use to describe you?
My friends often describe me as dynamic, passionate, and persistent. I was raised to have a can-do attitude, one which has definitely been foundational in developing my work ethic and confident mentality.
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The #IncomingElliott profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights newly enrolling students to answer common questions posed by prospective and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
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