The Global Policy Institute is a multidisciplinary research and community education institute at the University of Southern California. We focus on university programs that involve faculty, students, policymakers and members of the public.
Alex von Thaden
Programming Director
“I love that GPI serves as a place for both students and faculty to strengthen USC’s International Relations community on and beyond campus.”
Gohar Dzhulakyan
Editorial Director
“GPI provides a space for like-minded people to explore many common interests and make great connections.”
Shiza Khan
Executive Director
“Through GPI, students don’t just study foreign policy — they engage directly with diplomats and policy experts, gaining insights that shape how they see the world and their role in it.”
Recent Editorial Work
Global Policy Institute fellows draft articles each week on global issues and challenges. Fellows choose topics of interest to them related to traditional and human security, economics, the environment, technology, international organizations and global institutions.
Read more of our work here.
Panda Diplomats: Can Conservation Save Global Cooperation?
“Today marks the end of an era in the nation’s capital, as the beloved giant pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo head back to China. Their departure…
Under Siege in El Fasher: How to Protect Sudan’s Women from Famine and Sexual Violence Now
Sudan’s last government-held city in Darfur, El Fasher, has been under a tightening siege for months. Reports from a U.N.-mandated mission say the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)…
What the Zetas-Gulf Split Reveals About the Sinaloa Cartel’s Civil War
The Drug Enforcement Agency describes the Sinaloa Cartel as “one of Mexico’s oldest criminal organizations, and one of the most violent and prolific polydrug-trafficking cartels in the…
Opium’s New Frontiers: The Taliban’s Poppy Ban and its Ripple Effects
In just one growing season, Afghanistan’s opium fields — once the source of more than 80% of the world’s opium — have all but vanished. A near-total…
Defending the Defenseless: Protecting Women in the DRC Amid Rising Rebel Violence
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has long been a battleground for competing rebel factions, with women bearing the brunt of the violence. The recent attack…
Future of the Gurkhas and the India-Nepal Relationship
In rural Nepal, thousands of boys and young men undergo rigorous military training. They aspire to become Gurkhas, some of the most feared and respected soldiers in…
If the U.S. Department of State Wants to Counter Terrorism, It Shouldn’t Get Rid of USAID
Over the past couple of weeks, mass disarray has erupted in vulnerable communities across the world with the dismantling of USAID, leaving them in dire conditions and…
Grassroots Resistance in Georgia: The Battle Over Democracy Enters a Critical Phase
Tbilisi remains a flashpoint of political unrest as Georgians continue their fight against the government’s controversial “foreign agents” law, which critics argue is designed to suppress civil…
About Us
Our institute focuses on global issues and hosts programs that involve faculty, graduate and undergrad students, policy-makers and members of the public.
Meet the Fellows
Our fellows are students passionate about international relations. Fellows have studied and worked all over the world and come from diverse backgrounds.
Student Resources
GPI has compiled resources that can aid students interested in international relations and foreign affairs in their professional and academic development.
Learn about how to submit your work to GPI or other undergraduate research journals and outlets
Interested in writing about foreign affairs or publishing your research? We’ve compiled a list of publishing opportunities at USC and other universities across the U.S. You can also review GPI’s submission instructions.
Looking for ways to get involved?
We recruit a new class of fellows at the start of each semester. Our spring 2026 semester application is not yet live. However, you can find more information about our application process on our instagram.
Contact Us
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