YPFP & AU SIS Research Symposium:

Reimagining Foreign Policy in a Transforming World

April 9, 2027 · 12PM - 7PM

American University Founders Room

4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016

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About the AU-YPFP Symposium

The AU - YPFP Symposium is an annual joint event hosted by American University's School of International Service (SIS) and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP). It serves as a platform for graduate students and early-career professionals to showcase research on the evolving global order. By highlighting work from the SIS graduate community and YPFP members on critical modern issues, we hope to bridge the gap between academia and policy making and connect emerging leaders with established experts and peers to foster meaningful dialogue and career-long professional. relationships

Call for Proposals

2nd Annual AU SIS – YPFP Research Symposium

We invite SIS graduate students and YPFP members to submit a brief research proposal (up to 300 words) outlining the topic they would like to present. Proposals may be based on ongoing or completed academic research, capstone projects, professional analysis, or independent work related to international affairs or foreign policy. Proposals should align with one of the symposium's two tracks, but the range of topics within each is broad.

Applications close January 15, 2027, 11:59PM ET.

Track 1:

Research examining resources, ecosystems, and the environment as drivers of conflict and cooperation in their own right. Subtopics might include but not limited to:

Natural resource competition
Critical minerals
Environmental scarcity
Migratory pressures driven by ecological change
Illegal wildlife trafficking
Environmental toll of armed conflict

Track 2:

Research examining the changing instruments and actors of conflict and crisis — economic statecraft, digital and autonomous technologies, and non-state actors. Subtopics might include but not limited to:

Economic statecraft
Tariff wars
Cyber warfare, drone and AI-enabled warfare
Growing role of non-state actors, from terrorist organizations to private companies, in shaping security outcomes.

Call for Proposals

2nd Annual AU SIS – YPFP Research Symposium

We invite SIS graduate students and YPFP members to submit a brief research proposal (up to 300 words) outlining the topic they would like to present. Proposals may be based on ongoing or completed academic research, capstone projects, professional analysis, or independent work related to international affairs or foreign policy. Proposals should align with one of the symposium's two tracks, but the range of topics within each is broad.

Applications close January 15, 2027, 11:59PM ET.

Track 1:

Research examining resources, ecosystems, and the environment as drivers of conflict and cooperation in their own right. Subtopics might include but not limited to:

Natural resource competition
Critical minerals
Environmental scarcity
Migratory pressures driven by ecological change
Illegal wildlife trafficking
Environmental toll of armed conflict

Track 2:

Research examining the changing instruments and actors of conflict and crisis — economic statecraft, digital and autonomous technologies, and non-state actors. Subtopics might include but not limited to:

Economic statecraft
Tariff wars
Cyber warfare, drone and AI-enabled warfare
Growing role of non-state actors, from terrorist organizations to private companies, in shaping security outcomes.

Past Proposals

Panel 1 Moderator

Imran Bayoumi

Associate Director,

Geostrategy Initiative
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council

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Panel 2 Moderator

Gil Guerra

Immigration Policy Analyst,

Niskanen Center

Publications VP, YPFP

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Discussion 1 Lead

Mahnoor Malik

Editor in Chief,

Journal of International Service, American University

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Discussion 1 Lead

Clara Fong

Writer and Editor at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

2024 G20 Youth Delegate, YPFP

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Discussion 1 Lead

Bradley Johnston

Managing Editor, Journal of International Service

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Discussion 2 Lead

Anjali Bhatt

Communications Manager and Research Fellow, Peterson Institute

Indo-Pacific Discussion Group Lead, YPFP

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Highlights from the Inaugural 2026 Symposium

Last year's theme, "Reimagining Foreign Policy in a Transforming World," brought together brilliant minds to discuss the security architecture of tomorrow.

Closing Remarks

Simon Nicholson

Associate Dean of Research,

American University SIS

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Keynote Speakers

Closing Remarks

Josh Rogin

Lead Global Security Analyst, Washington Post Intelligence

YPFP Alum

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Moderators and Discussion Leads

About the 2026 AU-YPFP Symposium

The AU - YPFP Symposium is an annual joint event hosted by American University's School of International Service (SIS) and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP). It serves as a platform for graduate students and early-career professionals to showcase research on the evolving global order. By highlighting work from the SIS graduate community and YPFP members on critical modern issues, we hope to bridge the gap between academia and policy making and connect emerging leaders with established experts and peers to foster meaningful dialogue and career-long professional relationships