Kate Burry

Kate Burry (she/her) is an IR honors student with specializations in Economic Development/World Economy and International History & Culture. She is also pursuing a minor in Economics. She spoke with us about her research interests, favorite IR class, internship experience, and what she enjoys outside of the classroom.

What are your primary research interests?

I'm primarily interested in political and economic ideology. I gain energy from investigating the why behind the positive and the should behind the normative. This is why I chose to major in IR, which allows me to study how economics, political science, and history combine to explain the world we live in and examine what it could become. I’m currently writing an honors thesis that tracks the ideological underpinnings of conservatism, and how they have changed over time. The thesis consists of a historical and comparative textual analysis of two pivotal policy documents: the 1981 and 2025 Mandates for Leadership (aka Project 2025). I dig deep into these >1,000 page policy books that have shaped Republican Presidencies and irrevocably changed the trajectory of our nation. This topic was inspired by a class I took called HISTORY 269: Thinking About Capitalism, taught by Professor Jennifer Burns (who is now my advisor). I would definitely recommend the IR Honors program to any student who is motivated to leave Stanford with a cumulative showcase of their skills and interests, along with a lasting contribution to their department. It is an incredibly rewarding process.

What is your favorite IR class so far and why?

My favorite IR class was INTNLREL 110D: War and Peace in American Foreign Policy taught by Kenneth Schultz. It’s a must take for anyone interested in geopolitics, wartime conflict, and the harsh and unsuspecting realities of how American intervention has played out over time. Professor Schultz is incredibly scrupulous and engaging in his lectures, and you will always walk away from class with a new perspective on the United States, its allies, and adversaries.

Can you tell us a bit about a recent internship/study abroad experience?

During my junior year, I was lucky enough to spend 6 months living, working, and studying in Europe. During the summer, I lived in London and worked for a climate finance advisory firm. There, I learned so much about the complex partnerships between the public and private sectors that determine how climate projects are financed. In the fall, I moved to Paris where I joined the BOSP Paris cohort. There, I studied history at the Sorbonne and took a wonderful class on french cinema. I credit Stanford for making these experiences possible, and I could not recommend going abroad more!

Any hobbies or outside interests?

This year, I designed for the FashionX Runway show, designing and creating a dress from scratch. I also recently bought my first film camera, and I'm looking forward to shooting around campus before I graduate this spring. I'm also into coffee and rock music: my friend recently gifted me espresso beans from Morocco and my favorite album of 2025 is called Getting Killed by Geese.