Pathways to Political Science Summer Research Program hosts third cohort of interns

Pathways@GDL is planning for a fourth cohort in the summer of 2026.

August 12, 2025 MIT Political Science MIT Political Science

This summer, the Political Science Department and the Global Diversity Lab (GDL) hosted its third cohort of Pathways to Political Science Summer Research interns. Pathways@GDL is sponsored in partnership with the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) and funded by the Center for International Studies (CIS) and MIT-Africa. Professors Noah Nathan and Ariel White led the Pathways@GDL visit.

Pathways@GDL is aimed at broadening the pipeline into US political science PhD programs. A graduate student from  University of Witwatersrand in South Africa joined undergraduates from universities in North Carolina, New Mexico, Washington, DC, and Massachusetts, mixing research assistant work and their own independent research projects, professionalizing their presentation of research, and exchanging information with each other and Department of Political Science faculty.

Those interested in receiving information about becoming a member of the summer of 2026 cohort should email Ning Soong at nsoong@mit.edu.

A lively poster session was held on August 5. Clockwise from upper left:

• The Department of Political Science buzzed with excitement as students, faculty, and staff discussed research performed by the Pathways@GDL Interns.
• Hanh Pham’s poster “Evaluation of Municipal Compliance with Monte Carlo Simulation” prompted a thoughtful discussion, including comments from Professor Nathan. Hanh is a student of Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts and was advised by Professor F. Daniel Hidalgo.
• Paula Akakpo of American University in Washington DC made a point about her poster "African Political Socialization and Voting Preferences” to Noelle Wakefield of MIT's Office of Graduate Education.
• Owami Tshuma of University of Witwatersrand in South Africa explained her poster "Examining the Effects of Political Regimes on Economic Development Patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa," to Professor Andrea Campbell. Owami was advised by Professor Nathan.
• Professor White also commented on Owami’s poster.
• After their poster session, Kennedy, Owami, Paula, Maria, Hanh and Garrison lined up for one more portrait.
• Kennedy Shorter of North Carolina A&T answered Owami Tshuma and Paula Akakpo’s questions about her poster,  "Are Lawmakers Listening? Public Opinion vs AI Legislation in the US.” She was advised by Professor White.
• Maria Pedroza Santos of the University of New Mexico was advised by Professor F. Daniel Hidalgo. She is pictured here in a meeting earlier in the internship and her poster was "What Counts as Progress? Disentangling Race, Class, and Gender in the Aftermath of Brazil's Domestic Worker Reform."
• Garrison Andrews of Howard University (Washington DC) is also pictured in a meeting earlier in the semester with his fellow interns and Department of Political Science staff. He was advised by Professor White and his poster was "US Foreign Assistance and Militancy in West Africa."