Sincerely,

Mike Tierney, Director

In a further expansion of their efforts to link student researchers with national security practitioners across the public and private sectors, the Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) has launched its Military Fellows Program. The program pairs student fellows with active duty military officers, who lend strategic expertise to the students' annual white paper submissions. The idea for the program was proposed by Army Major Nathan Finney (at left), who connected with PIPS Co-Director Dennis Smith through an event at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Finney now serves as the managing director of the PIPS Military Fellows. Read more.

Join us for the launch of the first geo-referenced database of Chinese development finance to Africa and an interactive geospatial dashboard that now makes it possible to explore this data in greater depth. Leading scholars and practitioners will also discuss the findings from a new AidData working paper, "Aid on Demand: The Allocation of China's Foreign Assistance at the Subnational Level," revealing how the interests of political leaders in Africa influence the spatial distribution of Chinese funding for development. Read more.

Lu Sevier presents AidData at TechCon 2014.

William & Mary students and AidData staff participated in the USAID Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) Technical Convening (TechCon) at the University of California, Berkeley's Development Impact Lab November 8-10. William & Mary served as the inaugural host for the event in 2013. At TechCon, nine HESN Development Lab Universities, along with others from the public and private sectors, present their findings and their ideas to government officials, university researchers and private sector entrepreneurs. Just as with the launch of USAID's Global Development Lab in April of this year, AidData's participation in TechCon creates an opportunity for William & Mary students to collaborate and pursue development strategies. 

We would love to see and share your photos from your time here at W&M when you worked on research projects now housed at the Institute, including PLAID (now AidData), TRIP, PIPS, Reform Incentives, VIPCAT and others. Please email them to Priscilla Caldwell at pbcaldwell@wm.edu. 

ITPIR Director Mike Tierney observes TRIP Manager Nicky Bell, '12, as he masters the art of grilling.

During Homecoming weekend, ITPIR welcomed more than 100 alumni and friends to the Scotland Street House. Students, faculty and staff caught up with former RAs, learning about their varying careers, academic programs and projects. ITPIR alumni heard about the latest Institute developments and research projects. Many old friends reconnected and shared their affinity for international relations and William & Mary. See more photos here.

Check out the ITPIR Annual Report, click here to read it now.

Eva Baker, '12.

Former AidData Research Assistant, now Analyst Recruiting Head for Washington, D.C. for Cornerstone Research. 

Kara Starr '10

Former PLAID (now AidData) research assistant, works as a Legislative Associate at the Southern Environmental Law Center.

Heather Winn '10

In medical school at Temple University; worked on TRIP and PLAID while at William & Mary.

Richard Jordan '10.

After working as a PLAID researcher and TRIP post-baccalaureate fellow, pursuing his Ph.D. in politics at Princeton University.

Samantha Hynes '10.

Former PLAID researcher, earned her J.D. at Georgetown University and is practicing law at Sullivan & Cromwell in Washington, D.C. 

Nicole (Scheer-Irvine) Buchholz '09.

Former PLAID research assistant, planner/urban designer at Group Melvin Design in Philadelphia after completing a master's in urban planning at Columbia University. 

Mike Goudey '09.

Former PLAID researcher, at the U.S. Department of State. 

Greg Cooper '08.

Former TRIP project manager, attended law school at UT-Austin, and now works at a law firm in London. 

Megan Smith '07.

After working on TRIP and PLAID as an undergraduate, earned a master's degree at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. She works at US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. 

Rosalind O'Brien '07.

Former PLAID researcher, now a web designer and developer at Treetop Creative in Harrisonburg, VA.

Brendan Williams '06.

An economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Brendan was a PLAID researcher. His fiancée, Emily Gorman, '05, is an ER doctor.

Klaus Schultz, '04.

Early PLAID researcher, now an analyst with Berkshire Hathaway.  His spouse, Angelina Wycin Woo, '07, is a vet.

Justin Ayars, '03.

B.A. in Government, minor in International Relations. Now President & CEO of the Virginia Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Rocky Weitz, '99.

B.A. in International Relations. Executive Director, Fintech Sandbox. 

Greg Minjack, '79.

Earned a B.A. in Government. Senior Advisor, Conflict and Stabilization Programs for Democracy International.