USC Global Policy Institute

This past Friday 4/17 GPI hosted our annual Think-A-Thon. This year’s theme was “Navigating Data Privacy in a Fragmented World”.

We want to take a moment to thank all of our judges, speakers, and those who came to both participate and support.

It was wonderful to see what ideas and solutions USC students brought to the table.

Congratulations to our winners! ⭐️

The USC Global Policy Institute and Delta Phi Epsilon presents the Senior Research Symposium!

Come support our seniors on May 1st from 10am-12pm in TCC 450!

If you are a senior interested in presenting your research, click the link in our bio to sign up!

Donuts and coffee will be provided. See you then! 🔎📚

Ceasefire or setup for escalation?

Join GPI for Crisis Briefing Pt. II: A Temporary Détente in Iran with Dr. Sina Azodi as we break down what this ceasefire means and what comes next.

Event moderation by Mark Zilberman.

Q&A to follow! Bring your questions.

📅 April 13 | 5:00 PM
📍 In person SOS B40 + virtual
🔗 RSVP in bio

Announcing the Keynote Speakers for GPI’s Annual Think-A-Thon: “Navigating Data Privacy in a Fragmented World” 💻

Eddan Katz - AI Policy Manager, Meta

Megan Bentley - Pillar Lead, Global AI Governance, Visa

Ryan Hagemann - Global AI Policy Lead, IBM

Swipe to read each speaker’s bio!

Updated to reflect correct speaker details.

YOU’RE INVITED!
To a GPI picnic 🧺🎉

WHEN? 12 April from 1:00PM-3:00PM

WHERE? Village Lawn

ANYTHING I NEED TO BRING? Bring your favourite food and some enjoy some good company!

Announcing the Keynote Speakers for GPI’s Annual Think-A-Thon: “Navigating Data Privacy in a Fragmented World” 💻

Eddan Katz - AI Policy Manager, Meta

Megan Bentley - Pillar Lead, Global AI Governance, Visa

Ryan Hagemann - Global AI Policy Lead, IBM

Swipe to read each speaker’s bio! 📑

A civil war and cuts to USAID. Bani Chauhan discusses how the Trump Administration’s cuts to USAID have deeply impacted the population in Somalia, exacerbating human rights abuses.

“Somalia and the Struggle for Stability and Survival” by Bani Chauhan

“Since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, the country has been experiencing conflict. This collapse was followed up by uprisings against the military dictatorship, ultimately leading to a full-scale civil war. These conditions created widespread human rights abuses, which have only been worsened by the Trump Administration’s cuts to vital USAID programs that supported many people in the region.”

Is Europe moving closer to the U.S’s ICE model? What happens in light of the EU’s Return Regulation? Read Nadia Al-Ani’s article to gain a closer look at what is going on today in the EU’s migration control.

“Europe’s ICE Moment: How the EU’s Deportation Push Could Reshape Daily Life” by Nadia Al-Ani

“The EU’s new push to speed up returns, or deportations of people ordered to leave, is being pitched as administrative housekeeping. But the fight over it in 2026 is not really about paperwork; it is about what kind of society the EU is willing to become in the name of migration control.”

Click the link in our bio to read our Editorial Blog.

The Spatial Science Institute, NatSec, and DPE Presents

A CONVERSATION ON TERRORISM & SECURITY CHALLENGES

General Joseph L. Votel

U.S. Army (Ret. – 4 Star General)

Wednesday, April 1
3:00–4:00 PM

Location: SOS B40
Register to Join Remotely:
Webinar Registration (Link in Bio)

Join General Joseph Votel for a discussion on terrorism and evolving global security challenges. Drawing on decades of military and strategic leadership experience, including his current service as Distinguished Chair of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, he will examine contemporary terrorism threats and implications for US National Security policy. As former Commander of U.S. Central Command—the command responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, General Votel offers valuable perspective on current regional developments, including conflict with Iran. The program will include remarks followed by audience Q&A.

Non-Discrimination Statement: This program is open to all eligible individuals. National Security Student Organization at USC operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, s*x, ethnicity, s*xual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

Accessibility Statement: Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Philippa Burgess at [email protected]

GPI’S ANNUAL THINK-A-THON IS HERE! 🌐🤔

April 17th from 9:30am-3:30pm in SOS B40 GPI will be hosting our annual Think-A-Thon. This year’s theme is “Navigating Data Privacy in a Fragmented World”.

We will have a keynote speaker panel with AI experts and food will be included!

Scan the QR Code for clink the link in our bio to sign-up!

CASH PRIZES:
1st Place: $1500
2nd Place: $1000
3rd Place: $750

OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS

SURPRISE! 🌐 Mid-semester surprise application?!

WE ARE RECRUITING FOR COMMUNICATIONS FELLOWS!

APPLICATION OPEN TO ALL! LINK IN BIO!

Applications due: 3/13 at 11:59pm

If you are a current GPI Fellow you are also welcome to apply.

See you soon… 🤫

Last night, we had the privilege of hosting Farhang Foundation Chair in Iranian Studies and Assistant Professor of Middle East Studies and Environmental Studies, Dr. Ciruce Movahedi-Lankarani, to speak with us regarding the political climate in Iran today.

We held a discussion table where students could ask questions about the history behind what we are seeing today. It was incredibly insightful.

If you missed the event, but want to hear about Dr. Ciruce Movahedi-Lankarani’s expertise, he has a new book coming out titled “Accelerant: Energy Infrastructures and the Natural World in Making Modern Iran”. Keep an eye out for it!

Four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, GPI convened with Ukrainian and international voices to reflect on the impact of the war, resilience, as well as what to expect for the future.

Thank you to Professors Robert English and Steve Swerdlow, as well as Iryna Zaverukha and Anastasiia Simakhova for this thoughtful conversation.

The audience also helped remind all of us why these conversations are so crucial.

A line from Iryna Zaverukha continues to resonate:

“Remember who you are and stick to your values, even when everyone believes that the enemy is larger, stronger, and destined to prevail. Remember who you are and stick to your values, because identity generates capacity.”

In a time of such uncertainty today in global politics, this was a powerful reminder to hold true to yourself as it is a source of great strength.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Stay tuned for more conversations to come!