Ishanee Chanda is a second-year GPS student focused on refugee and humanitarian emergencies. She is interested in refugee and migration issues in South Asia, particularly resettlement and repatriation practices, the protection of human rights, and how the intersection of aid, development, and conflict come into play. She is also currently a Dulles Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for the Study of Diplomacy where she is looking at the potential of artificial intelligence to create conflict early warning systems.

Ishanee grew up in Dallas, Texas and received her B.A. in International Studies and English at Texas A&M University. As an undergraduate, she focused on Western Europe and Italy as regions of interest and studied abroad at Oxford University and the University of Turin in Italy. After graduating, she worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures on federal and state immigration policy and international programming. In her time at Georgetown, Ishanee has also been United Nations Association Fellow, and has held internships with the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy; the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; and Peloria, P.B.C.

Ishanee hopes to pursue a career in humanitarian aid and development. She speaks Italian, Bengali, Odia, and Hindi.

"I chose the MSFS program due to its standing as one of the best programs in the world for its focus on creating global leaders. With its renowned faculty members, endless opportunities, and weight as an institution, I believe MSFS offers me the best possible assets to achieve my goals."

Publications

Chanda, I. (2018) CHILD MIGRANTS AND FAMILY SEPARATION. National Conference of State Legislatures Legisbrief. Vol. 26, Num. 45. [http://www.ncsl.org/research/immigration/child-migrants-and-family-separation.aspx]

Chanda, I and Morse, A. (2018). Occupational Licensing: Barriers to Work Series - Barriers to Work: Improving Access to Licensed Occupations for Immigrants with Work Authorization. National Conference of State Legislatures. [http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/barriers-to-work-immigrants-with-work-authorization.aspx]

Chanda, I. (2017). State Efforts to Help Immigrants Integrate. National Conference of State Legislatures Legisbrief. Vol. 25, Num. 45.
[http://www.ncsl.org/research/immigration/state-efforts-to-help-immigrants-integrate.aspx]