Upcoming events this semester!
spring 2025
A Career in Diplomacy: From Cal to Ouagadougou
January 21 | 2:00-3:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for an inspiring career talk with Ambassador Andrew Young, a distinguished diplomat and leader with over 30 years of public service across four continents. Currently the Director of the International Student Management Office at the National Defense University, Ambassador Young brings a wealth of experience, having served as Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement at U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso, and in various pivotal roles across the globe, including Mali, Korea, France, and New Zealand.
Women in the Alt-Right: Expanding Reach and Influence
January 28 | 4:00-6:00PM| 223 Philosophy Hall
What role do women play in male-dominated political movements? Join us for a discussion based on the research paper How the Rhetoric of Women in the Alt-Right Broadens the Movement’s Appeal by Richard A. Nielsen and Eliza R. Oak.
The talk explores how women in the alt-right movement use more extreme racist and sexist rhetoric than men, gaining attention and increasing the movement’s reach. By analyzing over 12,000 YouTube videos, the study reveals how women’s content generates more engagement and amplifies the most radical ideas, helping them gain influence in a male-dominated space.
Undergraduate Spring Reception
February 4 | 2:00-3:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Calling all Undergraduates! Please join us on February 4th from 2:00-3:00pm at 223 Philosophy Hall to learn more about the Institute of International Studies career talk series, affiliated student groups with an international focus, and ways for undergraduates to get involved. This is an excellent opportunity for you to connect with your fellow peers, student organizations, and individuals who share a passion for international studies.
MIRTH: Jim Fearon
February 4 | 3:00-4:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
On Monday afternoons during the academic year, IIS hosts a colloquium centered around contemporary research in International Relations. At the majority of MIRTH seminars, an external speaker presents and receives feedback on new research, bringing a steady stream of fresh ideas to campus and providing an opportunity for graduate students across cohorts, departments, and other nearby universities to engage with research-in-progress
From Advocacy to Action: Women, Peace, and Human Rights at the UN
February 20 | 4:00-5:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for an inspiring career talk with Dr. AnnJanette Rosga, Co-Executive Director of Informing Change and former Director of the UN Office of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Dr. Rosga has worked extensively in global policy, human rights, and advocacy, focusing on women, peace, and security.
So You Want to Change the World: Building an Activist Career Amidst Disruption and Opportunity
February 21 | 12:00-1:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Abrupt domestic political and geopolitical disruption is debasing institutions and norms in the U.S. and destabilizing the International community. Amidst this polarization and fragmentation, are there lodestars that can guide us towards reversing this trajectory? Are there realistic paths in the public, private or non-profit sectors to drive progressive change and build activist careers—whether in international relations and diplomacy, labor and human rights, or climate and sustainable development?
MIRTH: Tanisha Fazal
Febraury 24 | 3:00-4:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
On Monday afternoons during the academic year, IIS hosts a colloquium centered around contemporary research in International Relations. At the majority of MIRTH seminars, an external speaker presents and receives feedback on new research, bringing a steady stream of fresh ideas to campus and providing an opportunity for graduate students across cohorts, departments, and other nearby universities to engage with research-in-progress
What Side Are You On? A Tohono O'odham Life across Borders
February 25 | 4:00-5:30pm| 223 Philosophy Hall
Renowned human rights activist Michael "Mike" Wilson has borne witness to the profound human costs of poverty, racism, border policing, and the legacies of colonialism. From a childhood in the mining town of Ajo, Arizona, Wilson's life journey led him to US military service in Central America, seminary education, and religious and human rights activism against the abuses of US immigration policies. With increased militarization of the US-Mexico border, migration across the Tohono O’odham Nation surged, as did migrant deaths and violent encounters between tribal citizens and US Border Patrol agents.
The Next Chapter in US Nuclear Policy
February 26 | 4:00-5:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
One chapter in US nuclear policy has closed and another is opening. The chapter that has closed began nearly 40 years ago with the end of the Cold War when major changes in the structure of international relations made possible major changes in US nuclear policy and posture. It has been closing for well over a decade. We live today in a moment of dramatic change in the international system, which can also be expected to drive major changes in US nuclear policy and posture. In contrast to the 1990s, however, when the policy and posture changes were all things we had long wanted, the possible changes in front of us today are both controversial and resisted. The needed national discussion is only just beginning.
Taiwan Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui Berkley Visit
February 28 | 4:30-6:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Taiwan's Representative to the United States, Ambassador Alexander Ta-Ray Yui, will be in the Bay Area in late February to dedicate a new Taipei Economic and Cultural Office building in SF. As part of the trip, he is planning to visit the Berkeley campus on the afternoon of Friday, February 28. The Institute of East Asian Studies and IIS will be co-hosting a closed discussion/Q&A on U.S.-Taiwan and Cross Strait relations from 4:30-6:00pm with IIS-affiliated faculty, students, and members of the IEAS-led U.S.-Taiwan Next Generation Working Group
Graduate Fellowship Info Session
March 4 | 12:00-1:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for an insightful session featuring three past awardees—Sean Cronan, Gabriel Lesser, and Matthew Kovak—who will share their research journeys and discuss how the IIS grants contributed to their work. This event is an excellent opportunity for students considering applying for an IIS grant to learn more about the process and its benefits.
Career Talk Philip Yun
March 5 | 6:00-7:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
The IRCB is hosting a career talk with Philip Yun, the Co-President and Co-CEO of Commonwealth Club World Affairs. He will be discussing his background working in the field of foreign policy under the Clinton administration, as well as his role and involvement with the Commonwealth Club World Affairs
Defending Human Rights: Careers in International Law
March 6 | 3:00-4:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for an insightful career talk with Radhika Kapoor and Helen Kerwin, two attorneys from Berkeley Law’s Human Rights Clinic. With extensive experience in international litigation, humanitarian law, and advocacy for marginalized communities, they have worked on cases involving armed conflict, sanctions, Indigenous rights, migration, and more.
MIRTH: Jana Von Stein
March 10 | 3:00-4:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
On Monday afternoons during the academic year, IIS hosts a colloquium centered around contemporary research in International Relations. At the majority of MIRTH seminars, an external speaker presents and receives feedback on new research, bringing a steady stream of fresh ideas to campus and providing an opportunity for graduate students across cohorts, departments, and other nearby universities to engage with research-in-progress.
Navigating International Fellowships & Scholarships: Opportunities for Global Careers
March 12 | 12:00-1:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Are you interested in pursuing international fellowships and scholarships to advance your academic and professional goals? Join us for an informative session on globally focused funding opportunities, including eligibility, application strategies, and how these programs can shape your career!
Should South Korea Go Nuclear?: Debates on Rationale, Feasibility, and Consequences
March 12 | 3:30-5:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
The North Korea nuclear quagmire has been getting worse. Facing this existential security challenge, South Korea has traditionally relied on the American nuclear umbrella. However, a growing number of pundits and ordinary citizens in South Korea have been calling for an independent nuclear path by questioning the credibility of American security commitments including extended nuclear deterrence.
A Book Talk with Kate Epstein
March 13 | 4:00-5:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for a thought-provoking book talk exploring the clash between intellectual property rights and national security from Kate’s latest book, Analog Superpowers: How Twentieth-Century Technology Theft Built the National Security State
Career Talk: Bruce Pickering
March 14 | 12:00-1:30Pm | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for a special conversation with Bruce Pickering, a seasoned expert in international relations and Asia policy. With decades of experience—including leadership roles at Asia Society, the Asia Foundation, and the U.S. Department of State—Bruce will share insights from his distinguished career working across diplomacy, nonprofits, and global policy.
MIRTH: Jack Snyder
March 14 | 3:00-4:30PM| 223 Philosophy Hall
On Monday afternoons during the academic year, IIS hosts a colloquium centered around contemporary research in International Relations. At the majority of MIRTH seminars, an external speaker presents and receives feedback on new research, bringing a steady stream of fresh ideas to campus and providing an opportunity for graduate students across cohorts, departments, and other nearby universities to engage with research-in-progress
IIS Faculty Seminar
March 19 | 12:00-1:30PM| 223 Philosophy Hall
This semester, Sean Gailmard will present his new book, Agents of Empire, which explores how English colonial governance shaped core American institutions. He argues that colonization required the English crown to delegate state functions to agents on the ground---first companies and proprietors; then state officials---but thereby introduced tensions between the interests of the crown and its agents of colonization.
Youth Talk: Reclaiming Civic Power
March 19 | 6:00-7:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Democracy is more than a single moment at the ballot box—it’s a continuous, dynamic process shaped by the collective actions of engaged individuals. "Reclaiming Civic Power" is a program designed to inspire and equip participants with the tools to stay civically active, especially in the critical periods between elections. This program emphasizes that while legislative agendas are one pathway to change, there are numerous other pathways—grassroots organizations, advocacy campaigns, cultural movements, and community-led initiatives—that hold immense power in shaping our political future.
Fur, Fashion & Empire: Book Talk Unraveling the Myths of Patagonia
March 20 | 4:00-5:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join historian John Soluri for a discussion on Creatures of Fashion, which challenges the myth of Patagonia as untouched wilderness. Through the exploitation of animals—from fur seals to sheep—Patagonia was transformed into the national territories of Argentina and Chile, linking it to global markets and empires.
AI, Cybersecurity & Strategic Competition: A Career in Tech Diplomacy
April 4| 2:00-3:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for a career conversation with Tyrone Pater, Tech Diplomacy Fellow at the Berkeley Risk & Security Lab and Senior Advisor for Innovation, Technology & Science at the Netherlands Consulate General in San Francisco. Pater’s work sits at the intersection of technology, diplomacy, and strategy, focusing on emerging fields like AI, cybersecurity, and research security—and how developments in these areas affect international competition and cooperation.
Navigating Tensions in the Indo-Pacific: Geopolitical Strategies and Economic Implications of Regional Conflict
April 4 | 3:00-5:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join speakers Ray Wong and Aileen Calverley for an engaging seminar that delves into the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on the potential conflict between China and Taiwan. This session will explore the far-reaching economic consequences for the United States ---from fractured trade networks and supply-chain chaos to destabilized global markets. The speakers will examine various deterrence strategies, highlighting enhanced collaboration with EU allies and China's dependence on Hong Kong's financial infrastructure.
MIRTH: Jennifer Hadden
April 7 | 3:00-4:30PM| 223 Philosophy Hall
On Monday afternoons during the academic year, IIS hosts a colloquium centered around contemporary research in International Relations. At the majority of MIRTH seminars, an external speaker presents and receives feedback on new research, bringing a steady stream of fresh ideas to campus and providing an opportunity for graduate students across cohorts, departments, and other nearby universities to engage with research-in-progress
Can It Happen Here? Viktor Orban’s Playbook for Turning A Democracy into an Authoritarian State
April 8 | 4:00-5:15PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
After the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall hopes ran high that former authoritarian states would become stable democracies. Today, the rise of far-right nationalist populism in Europe and the US has reversed these prospects and put democracies under increasing threat from authoritarianism. Viktor Orban is a leading example of this reversal.
Bridging Policy, Human Rights, & Peace: Careers in International Development
April 10 | 12:00-1:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for an engaging career talk with Jessica Olney and Aleksandra Chmielewska, two accomplished professionals working at the intersection of international development, technology, policy, and peacebuilding.
Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea and the Global Supply Chain
April 15 | 5:00-6:00PM| 223 Philosophy Hall
Jointly organized with Institute of International Studies (IIS) and NKHR (Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights)
Innovate Like A Tech Entrepreneur: Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone to Unlock Possibilities
April 16 | 4:00-5:00PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Angie Chang, a visionary leader and Cal alum. As CEO and co-founder of Girl Geek X, Angie has connected thousands of women in tech with life-changing opportunities across Silicon Valley. A double-major in English and Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, Angie's journey spans start-up roles in Silicon Valley and invitations from the U.S. Department of State to speak on women's entrepreneurship globally, including in the West Bank, Switzerland, and Germany. During this event, Angie will share her remarkable journey, from her Cal days to becoming a renowned entrepreneur and mentor.
Matrix on Point: Technology and China in the New Political Economy
April 18 | 12:00-1:30PM | 223 Philosophy Hall
This panel brings together experts of the Chinese political economy and law and society in a conversation to discuss the political, economic, security, and social dimensions and complexities of technology in China’s internationalization during times of global tensions. Topics covered will include the institutional foundations of China’s technological development, technology governance and industrial policy, global technology competition, and legal technology and societal impacts in today’s China.
Exploring International Mechanisms for Victims of North Korean Crimes Against Humanity
April 22 | 12:00-1:30PM| 223 Philosophy Hall
Jointly organized with Institute of International Studies (IIS) and GRC (Global Rights Compliance)
Aftershocks: Myanmar Earthquake in Perspective
April 25 | 4:00PM | IEAS Conference Room
This hybrid Late Breaking News panel invites experts to discuss what the March 28 earthquake - and other ruptures and fissures in the domestic, regional and global political landscape - mean for the people of Myanmar.
Making Peace in the Shadows: Back-channel Negotiation in the Irish Peace Process
April 30 | 11:00-12:00PM | 201 Philosophy Hall
Drawing on a rich store of new evidence that has emerged in recent years this lecture examines how and why these channels were first established and how they operated. It explores the effects of back-channel contact on intra party struggles on all sides and discusses the importance of back-channels in drawing the positions of opposing parties closer at crucial moments.
The UC Berkeley Global Forum: Contemporary Challenges in the Asia Pacific
May 2 | 8:00AM -5:00PM | Banatao Auditorium
The conference aims to bring together leading scholars and practitioners together to analyze, debate, propose solutions to several contemporary challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to provide an opportunity for Berkeley students, faculty, alumni, and Bay Area international affairs professionals to engage with leading scholars, practitioners, and journalists regarding issues of contemporary importance.