Fletcher Ideas Exchange

The Fletcher Ideas Exchange (FIE) is an annual forum for public speaking held at the Fletcher School. Modeled as a “TED-type” event in collaboration with the Institute for Human Security, the FIE features engaging speeches by students, faculty, and alumni around a theme that is relevant and thought provoking.

The first 2016 FIE was held on April 14th, with a second event held on October 25th. Both are made possible with generous support from the Carnegie Foundation, and hosted by the Institute for Human Security in collaboration with the Murrow Center. A dynamic lineup of speakers is on deck for the October event, each addressing the challenges and opportunities for bridging the academic-policy gap.

The April edition speeches centered around the theme of a human security approach to peacebuilding – what the challenges are and why it matters. Some talks explored perceptions of legitimacy in the governance of conflict-affected and fragile states. Others drew upon lessons from timely stories such as the Ebola crisis and conflict in South Sudan. A packed ASEAN Auditorium heard dynamic talks and special presentations from:

Eileen Babbitt, Director, Institute for Human Security, Professor of Practice of International Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Diana Chigas, Professor of Practice of International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution – “Taking the Blinders Off: Time to Question how Aid is used to Fight Corruption”
Dyan Mazurana, Research Director, Feinstein International Center, Associate Research Professor – “Delivering Basic Services to Build State Legitimacy: Is It What You Do or How You Do It?”
Ian Johnstone, Professor of International Law – “The Crisis of Legitimacy in UN Peace Operations”
Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation – “Practical Security: Context Driven SSR Intervention”
Sarah Hearn, Senior Fellow at the New York University Center on International Cooperation – “A Better Deal for Fragile States?”
Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, Director of Infection Control and Medical Response at National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (J99, F05, M05) – “Health Security and Emerging Infections: What One Anecdote From The Ebola Epidemic Can Teach Us”
Samantha Karlin, MALD 2016 – “Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence: Unfinished Business”
Basma Alloush, MALD 2016 – “From State Oppressed, To State Free”
Sophia Dawkins, Fletcher Ph.D. Candidate – “Murder on the Dancefloor: Violence, Politics and Peacemaking in South Sudan”

Students, faculty, and guest speakers also had the opportunity to receive coaching for the event. Those students who successfully applied to participate also had the benefit of the excellent exposure provided by the opportunity to speak alongside true global experts.

Ideas Exchange 2015

The first Fletcher Ideas Exchange was held on April 28, 2015. Speakers explored topics related to media and technology that connect or change the world. Themes included the exponential growth of technology, incredible strides in computing power, engagement over proliferating social media platform, and more. Please enjoy a selection of videos from the event below.

The Fletcher Ideas Exchange is sponsored by a collaboration between the Edward R. Murrow Center for a Digital World and the Hitachi Center for Technology and International Affairs.

Introduction by Prof. Mihir Mankad and Dean Stavridis

Prof. Bhaskar Chakravorti – Flying Cars and the Human Condition

Bhaskar Chakravorti is the Senior Associate Dean of International Business & Finance at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and the founding Executive Director of Fletcher’s Institute for Business in the Global Context.

Prof. Mihir Mankad: Social Change Television

Mihir Mankad teaches one of the most popular elective courses at Fletcher (The Arts of Communication), and leads public speaking and media initiatives at the school. His career includes stints in consulting with McKinsey, in development with the Clinton Foundation, and in national television anchoring, including hosting the Olympics and the Cricket World Cup in India.

Prof. Daniel Drezner – Pop Culture Matters in International Relations

Daniel W. Drezner is Professor of International Politics, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a contributing editor at the Washington Post. Prior to Fletcher, he taught at the University of Chicago and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Rachel Roberts – The Value of Learning Communities in Online Education

Achim Ladwig (European Union Fellow) – Town Hall Meetings Of the Future

Malini Goel (F’03 Alum) – Should Tomorrow Be: Using Media and Technology for Storytelling and Inspiration

Seth Pate (Fletcher MA Student) – New Media in Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement

Edward Schumacher-Mathos – A New Vision for IR Schools in the Platformed World

Edward Schumacher-Matos is an American-Colombian journalist, lecturer and columnist. He served as the ombudsman at NPR from June 2011 to January 2015. He also lectures at the Columbia School of Journalism as the James Madison Visiting Professorship.