2021 Graduate Student Publications

Making place-based sustainability initiatives visible in the Brazilian Amazon

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:37:21 +0000

Making place-based sustainability initiatives visible in the Brazilian Amazon Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 11:37

Making place-based sustainability initiatives visible in the Brazilian Amazon

By: Krister Andersson, Eduardo Brondizio, Fabio de Castro, Celia Futemma, Tais Gonzalez, Marina Londres, Gabriela Lopes, Adriana Molina-Garzon, Carl Salk, Sacha Siani, Maria Tengo, Daiana Tourne

Abstract:

From state-based developmentalism to community-based initiatives to market-based conservation, the Brazilian Amazon has been a laboratory of development interventions for over 50 years. The region is now confronting a devastating COVID-19 pandemic amid renewed environmental pressures and increasing social inequities. While these forces are shaping the present and future of the region, the Amazon has also become an incubator of local innovations and efforts confronting these pressures. Often overlooked, place-based initiatives involving individual and collective-action have growing roles in promoting regional sustainability. We review the history of development interventions influencing the emergence of place-based initiatives and their potential to promoting changes in productive systems, value-aggregation and market-access, and governance arrangements improving living-standards and environmental sustainability. We provide examples of initiatives documented by the AGENTS project, contextualizing them within the literature. We reflect on challenges and opportunities affecting their trajectories at this critical juncture for the future of the region.

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Making place-based sustainability initiatives visible in the Brazilian Amazon

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:17:38 +0000

Making place-based sustainability initiatives visible in the Brazilian Amazon Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 11:17

Making place-based sustainability initiatives visible in the Brazilian Amazon

By: Eduardo S Brondizio, Krister Andersson, Fábio de Castro, Celia Futemma, Carl Salk, Maria Tengö, Marina Londres, Daiana CM Tourne, Taís S Gonzalez, Adriana Molina-Garzon, Gabriela Russo Lopes, Sacha MO Siani

Abstract:

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The role of Rwandan diaspora in the socio-economic transformation and reconciliation in Rwanda.

Avery Lord — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:15:50 +0000

The role of Rwandan diaspora in the socio-economic transformation and reconciliation in Rwanda. Avery Lord Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:15

The role of Rwandan diaspora in the socio-economic transformation and reconciliation in Rwanda.

By: Gato James

Abstract:

Can Diasporas and its membership aid in renewing and rebuilding governance systems in countries emerging from conflict? Globally, conflicts are many and states are parting away untold sums of money for post-conflict recovery and rehabilitation of deliberated infrastructure and social systems. Thus, this research set out to provide the reader with a true picture of what the role of the diaspora especially those from Rwanda is and has been in Post-genocide reconstruction, reconciliation, and recovery with a particular focus on the above highlighted two distinct groups of Rwandan nationals. This study used a qualitative research method, 30 respondents participated in the study, Purposive sampling method was judged to be the best method given the fact that the researcher was interested in people who are part or were once in the diaspora, and those from institutions which interacts on daily basis. This study found out that indeed the diasporas contribute to the socio-economic transformation and reconciliation of the country in both positive and negative ways. On a positive side, the diasporas are involved in sending remittances, investing in the country, doing advocacy and lobbying in countries where they are, for policies which are favorable to the interests of Rwanda, to name a few. On the other hand, it was revealed that some elements within the diaspora and most especially those who are associated with the leadership of the former genocide government, were heavily involved in acts which are aimed at maligning the image of Rwanda.

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Scenario Surveillance Analysis: USAID/UKRAINE Monitoring and Learning Support Contract

Avery Lord — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:31:58 +0000

Scenario Surveillance Analysis: USAID/UKRAINE Monitoring and Learning Support Contract Avery Lord Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:31

Scenario Surveillance Analysis: USAID/UKRAINE Monitoring and Learning Support Contract

By: Collin J Meisel, David Bohl, Jonathan D Moyer, Dania Arayssi

Abstract:

Ukraine is a land of bright possibilities and bitter realities. Its recent past has been marked by an array of contrary events and trends, such as civil re-awakening and persistent corruption, democratic reform and constitutional crises, societal reconciliation and violent conflict. In light of these counter-balancing phenomena, it can be difficult to assess whether optimism, pessimism, or some degree of a middling realism is warranted when one is attempting to determine where Ukraine is plausibly headed next. Whither Ukraine?

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Migration and Economic Coercion

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 21:36:53 +0000

Migration and Economic Coercion Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/03/2021 - 15:36

Migration and Economic Coercion

By: Brendan J Connell, Samantha L Moya, Adrian J Shin

Abstract:

Sender costs of economic sanctions exacerbate the enforcement problem associated with multilateral coercive measures. When third-country sanctioners share strategic interests with the target state, they have commercial and diplomatic incentives to defect from multilateral sanctions arrangements. In addition to these well-documented sender costs, this article argues that migration pressure from the target state has become an important consideration for potential sanctioners. Economic sanctions often increase the economic distress on the target country, which in turn causes more people to migrate to countries where their co-ethnics reside. Countries hosting a large number of nationals from the target country face a disproportionately high level of migration pressure when sanctions increase emigration from the target country. Therefore, policymakers of these countries oppose economic sanctions on the target country as an attempt to preempt further migration. Analyzing the sanctions bills in the European Parliament from 2011 to 2015, we find empirical support for our prediction.

Learn more here: Migration and Economic Coercion

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