The IWP Internship Experience: Kate Bauer

This summer, I had the privilege to serve as a research intern at The Institute of World Politics, where I gained invaluable insights into national security, intelligence, and international affairs.

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Callahan by providing research for his book on German foreign policy. My research was comprehensive, covering German domestic policies, political parties, and foreign relations with the U.S. and the Middle East. I looked forward to our weekly meetings, where I received feedback on my work and learned about his progress with the book.

Additionally, I supported Sebastian Smeureanu in the IWP media department. I helped with research for the digital magazine’s new issue on the Abraham Accords, analyzing their socio-cultural impact and shifting public perceptions of Arab-Israeli normalization. Collaborating with fellow interns in the media department was engaging and sparked many stimulating discussions.

My internship experience was further enriched by my coursework at IWP. A standout experience was the Cyber Statecraft course with Professor Tsagronis, which deepened my interest in cybersecurity. Not only was the course engaging, but it was a pleasure to learn from Professor Tsagronis with his extensive background in national security. The course culminated in a collaborative paper on foreign cyber interference in U.S. elections, where we analyzed methods of disinformation and deception and their effects on public opinion and democratic processes.

Overall, my internship at IWP was a formative experience. It provided me with a deep understanding of the field and valuable networking opportunities in Washington, D.C. I cherish the relationships I built and am confident that this experience will be instrumental in advancing my career in the intelligence community.

Kate Bauer
IWP National Security and International Affairs Research Intern, Summer 2024
From Boston University

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