Aleena Anand

Aleena Mufti Anand (she/her)  studies International Relations at Stanford. Within her IR major, she specializes in Social Development & Human Well-Being and Middle East & Central Asia. She is also pursuing a minor in Human Rights. She spoke with us about her favorite IR class, studying abroad in Istanbul, her primary research interests, and more!

What are your primary academic/research interests?

I study displacement, gender, and resistance. I am passionate about addressing structural violence affecting displaced people as well as understanding how marginalized groups, particularly women, mobilize to defend their own rights.

What is your favorite IR class so far and why?

I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of INTNLREL 192: Policy Practicum: Accountability in International Development last quarter. Our team worked with Accountability Counsel, an NGO supporting communities around the world seeking justice for human rights abuses by global development banks. I was able to put my IR learning into practice, researching trends in harms facing communities to enhance future advocacy efforts.

Can you tell us a bit about a study abroad experience you've had?

Studying abroad in Istanbul during the fall was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a period of immense personal growth. I was able to travel around Turkey, study the history and contemporary politics of the region, strengthen my Turkish language skills, and meet people with varied lived experiences each day.

What are your future career goals?

I aim to work in human rights advocacy, supporting displaced communities. My goal is to support community-driven solutions, both at the local and broader institutional level, in order to create meaningful, enduring change in migration and asylum policy and practice.