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Interviews with Industry Leaders & Academic Experts
Our interviewees will help you discover what it is like to work with various companies and universities in Switzerland and abroad. You will also learn about persuasive and effective oral and written communication.
Whether you are a junior professional looking for career inspiration or simply curious about the latest work and research in economics, communications, international relations, education, and related fields, in the section below you will find valuable insights and motivation to explore new research, ideas, and career opportunities.
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How an International Peacebuilding Organization Works: Itonde Kakoma on Interpeace’s Role in Conflict Resolution & 30 Years of Global Impact
What is it like to lead an organization dedicated to peacebuilding in some of the world’s most conflict-ridden environments? In this...
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Nov 25, 20249 min read
How to Manage Harvard Kennedy School: Prof. Joseph S. Nye Jr. Reflects on His Marriage, Overall Career & Writing Craft
What is it like to have a career that spans both academia and government? In this captivating interview with Joseph S. Nye, Jr., a distinguished scholar and former U.S. government official, we explore the multifaceted life of a man who has profoundly influenced the field of international relations. Nye, a University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, is renowned for creating the concept of 'soft power,' a corner
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Aug 29, 202418 min read
Women in Swiss Politics: Margareta Kiener Nellen reflects on her career journey & explains how the Swiss government works
What is it like to craft a career in law and politics in Switzerland? In this inspiring interview, Margareta Kiener Nellen, a prominent...
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
May 29, 202414 min read
UN Today Coverage of Persuasive Discourse
This January, UN Today co-published our interview with Fabien Merz about Switzerland’s UNSC membership (2023-24) and his research on...
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Jan 29, 20233 min read
Academic Success: Career Advice for Junior Scholars from 5 Experienced Academics
Review of the academic career advice offered by the last five academics interviewed on this site, who work in Denmark, USA and Switzerland.
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Dec 29, 20226 min read
Rights Violations, Domestic Conflict, Protest & Comics: Interview with Emily Hencken Ritter, PhD
What does it look like to study and teach the topics of political violence, international human rights law, and war, in the U.S.? And how can you use the power of comics to translate your complex written work into simple drawings and messages to reach and persuade a larger audience? If you are a researcher, academic writer, scientist, or producer of any type of complex written work, and you are looking for ways to positively impact more people with your findings, then Dr. Emi
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Nov 18, 202221 min read
Political Violence, Design, Critique & Prevention: Interview with Jonathan Luke Austin, PhD
What does it look like to work in the field of political violence prevention? If you want to learn about how the worlds of policy, practice, and academia come together to address this crucial topic, then the work Dr. Jonathan Luke Austin will not only educate but also inspire you. Dr. Austin is one of my former PhD classmates and an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark. This past April, I had the opportunity to have an in-
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Oct 18, 202222 min read
Switzerland’s UNSC Membership: Interview with Fabien Merz about his Research on Swiss Foreign Policy
What does it look like to work within the fields of counter-terrorism and Swiss foreign policy, in Switzerland? If you aspire towards...
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Aug 9, 20228 min read
Call for Book Chapter Proposals: "UN/ORGANIZED: Interorganizational Cooperation & Crisis Management"
The vision and mission for this volume is to showcase a variety of academic/scholarly work that discusses the opportunities and...
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Jul 4, 20223 min read
Insights from Working in Afghanistan & Ukraine: Interview with Cristina Teleki, PhD
What does it look like to be an ICRC female Field Delegate in countries such as: Afghanistan, Ukraine, or Georgia? If you aspire towards a career in the humanitarian field or are curious to learn from the experiences of someone who chooses this honorable, important, and courageous life path, then the work and story of Dr. Cristina Teleki will greatly inspire you. Dr. Teleki is a legal scholar and a humanitarian professional whose academic research and practical work focus on
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
May 31, 202212 min read
World Politics & UN Peacebuilding: Interview with Sara Hellmüller, PhD
How does the emerging multipolar world order influence United Nations peacebuilding approaches? If you are an international relations scholar, a peacebuilding practitioner, or someone who wants to learn about current peace research, then Dr. Hellmüller’s work will greatly appeal to you. In this brief interview you will learn about: Dr. Hellmüller’s strategies to coin her research questions, the methodological approach she’s taking to structure and conduct her work, the unexpe
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Jan 18, 20226 min read
Afghanistan Governance: The Illusion of Political Inclusion & Stability
What is the political and security situation in Afghanistan today? While under the intense scrutiny of the international community, the...
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Dec 29, 20219 min read
Human Coding, Machine-Learning Techniques & Discourse Analysis: Interview with David Sylvan, PhD
Are you interested to learn about current research employing both human coding and machine-learning (ML) techniques, within the social sciences? If so, in this short interview, you will be able to read about Dr. David Sylvan’s reasons for undertaking such a methodological approach within his own research and the benefits/dis-benefits of utilizing human coding versus ML techniques to conduct discourse analysis within the field of international relations/political science. Dr.
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Dec 16, 20217 min read
The 10 Writing Rules: Advice from Author Jenn M. Jackson, PhD
Are you struggling with writing and publishing within the field of political science? If so, do not worry – your struggle is understood...
Sorina I. Crisan, PhD
Nov 23, 20215 min read
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