The Internet Governance Lab announces the Alumni Interview Series

The Internet Governance Lab is launching the Alumni Interview Series, a set of conversations between Junior Fellows and our talented, professional, and skillful alumni.

The Internet Governance Lab Alumni Expert Council is composed of AU alumni who are experts in their respective fields working at the intersection of Internet governance and technology policy. The Council was created in 2020 and meets twice a year to discuss the Lab’s work and offer recommendations about research and opportunities for current students and recent graduates. 

Our Junior Fellows did one-to-one interviews with the Council members and learned how AU helped prepare them for their careers. The Junior Fellowship program gives undergraduates from across American University the opportunity to join the Lab’s research community and exchange ideas with bright alumni. 

In the videos below, you will find valuable advice on how to make the best use of your studies and start engaging with the technology policy and Internet governance fields. A playlist with all videos is available at the link.


Junior Fellow Kathleen Scoggin interview with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at ITU

Doreen Bogdan-Martin is Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union. She is the first woman in the history of the ITU to hold an elected office. Bogdan-Martin graduated from American University with a Master’s degree in International Communications Policy. She is a Generation Unlimited Championand a Champion of the EDISON Alliance led by the World Economic Forum. She is also Co-Founder of the EQUALS partnership to bridge the digital divide, Co-creator of the GIGA school connectivity program, and creator of the Generation Connect initiative.


Junior Fellow Alisha Chhangani interview with Theresa Swinehart, Senior Advisor to the President on Global Strategy at ICANN

Theresa Swinehart has been the Senior Advisor to the President on Global Strategy at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) since 2013. She earned her JD from the American University Washington College of Law. Her previous position at ICANN was as Vice President, Global and Strategic Partnerships. She is a member of the ISOC Board of Trustees and the Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Committee (MAG).


Junior Fellow Rhea Khurana interview with Gayatri Murthy, Financial Sector Specialist at CGAP

Gayatri Murthy is a Financial Sector Specialist at the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), a global partnership of more than 30 leading development organizations working on financial inclusion. She has a Master’s degree in International Communication from the School of International Service at American University. Previously, Murthy worked at Intermedia and GiveIndia.


Junior Fellow Waker Evans interview with Atsushi Yamanaka, National ICT Strategy & Policy Implementation Advisor at RDB-ICT

Atsushi Yamanaka is the National ICT Strategy & Policy Implementation Advisor at Rwanda Development Board ICT department (RDB-ICT). He earned his M.A in International Political Economy with concentration in International Economic Policy at the American University. Yamanaka is sponsored by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He serves as Executive Advisor for the Rwanda PSF (Private Sector Federation) ICT Chamber. He is also Professor at the Kobe Institute of Computing.


Junior Fellow Sophia Zabell interview with Alexia Clincy, Director of Capitalize Social

Alexia Clincy is a social media consultant and trainer, Founder and Agency Director of Capitalize Social. She holds a Master’s degree in Intercultural Communications from American University. She also served as Executive Director for Social Media & Marketing at SwayBrand and Program Manager at the Center for Research on Collaboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities.