‘Diplomacy’ refers to the management of foreign affairs. Formal diplomats are officially named by governments: they’re people like ambassadors, and are the traditional focus of international political scholars. But more recently, theorists have begun thinking about the informal ways that everyday people interact…and how those more local interactions help to shape international relations. ‘Tracks’ of diplomacy refer to different levels and sectors through which global issues are impacted. Whatever sector you’re interested in, that field has an effect on international relations — and so do gender issues within it.
During the “Women in Diplomacy” Symposium, Syracuse London commemorated Women’s History Month through a celebration of women’s contribution to global affairs.
Exploring Diplomacy “Tracks”
Attendees began their evening by choosing a ‘track’, exploring how a chosen sector interacts with foreign policy and diplomacy. Browse the themes below to learn more about women’s contributions to each field.
“Women in Diplomacy” Mini-Exhibition
As part of the evening, Faraday House Auditorium hosted a mini-exhibition featuring women who have been trailblazers in professional diplomacy. The gallery also profiled a few Syracuse alums who have gone on to have international careers influencing world events. Learn more about these incredible people below.
International Careers Panel
March 8 is International Women’s Day, celebrated by many countries around the world. Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, the day emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Feminism at the time – like international relations – was very Eurocentric, white, and upper middle class. Since then, awareness has grown around the world about the need to pay better attention to – and act! – issues of diversity and intersectionality.
Syracuse London was especially privileged to be joined for this Symposium by a panel of women whose careers have taken them to various parts of the world, and who – through their work – have influenced the international arena on a number of levels.
Chair: Dr Becca Farnum, LLM
Becca currently serves as Assistant Director for Teaching & Learning at Syracuse University London. Her portfolio includes teaching the university’s first Indigenous Studies course abroad; leading field studies in the Arctic Circle exploring environmental policy; and confronting legacies of international terrorism with communities in Lockerbie, Scotland.
Becca’s past projects have involved drafting international environmental law with the United Nations; community organising around fair housing, workplace discrimination, and environmental rights; and serving a stint in the Obama White House.
International Law and Business Panellist: Alison Hook
Alison Hook is the co-founder of Hook Tangaza, a consultancy delivering research and advisory services on regulatory effectiveness, policy design and implementation, institutional capacity, and business growth strategy. Hook Tangaza focuses on building global legal and economic infrastructure.
Before setting up her consultancy, Alison was the Director of International at the Law Society of England and Wales, where she played a leading role in advocating for more open legal markets and working with government to develop an export promotion strategy for UK legal services.
Earlier in her career, Alison worked for the European Commission in London and Brussels, and for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and Lagos. She graduated in economics from the University of Edinburgh and holds a Masters in Economics from Warwick University as well as an MBA from the Open University. In 2008, Alison was recognised in the Lawyer ‘Hot 100’.
International Education Panellist: Carol Madison Graham
Carol M. Graham is the Chair of the Sturgeon Foundation, which provides college scholarships to students in Uzbekistan pursuing careers in finance and technology. She has a long career in international education. Carol was the first woman, first American, and first ethnic minority Executive Director of UK Fulbright Commission. She was later appointed by the Foreign Office to the Marshall Scholarships Commission, where she served for six years.
Carol is the author of several articles and a book on international exchange. She has spoken at various forums at the invitation of the US State Department, the British Council, the Scottish Parliament, the Culture Committee of the European Parliament, and various study abroad and international education organisations.
After graduating from Georgetown University with both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, Carol began her career in the US Foreign Service, serving in the Middle East and France. She has been recognised by the US Department of State for her work as a diplomat through the Superior Honor Award, and for her work with the Fulbright Program through a special commendation.
In 2018, Carol founded 1-800Home, an civilian-led outreach organisation that works to support the US Foreign Service, especially by hosting career panels for American students abroad.
International Diplomacy and Economics Panellist: Shiva Marvasti
Shiva Marvasti is currently serving a three-year assignment as an Economic Officer at the US Embassy in London, where she’s been since June 2021. In her current appointment as a member of the Foreign Service, Shiva covers British fiscal and monetary policy, financial services issues, sustainable finance, digital currency regulation, among other issues, helping the US government understand and respond to these issues in the international arena.
Shiva has been with the US Foreign Service since 2013. She previously served in Mexico and Ecuador, and most recently held the role of Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State, serving as a Turkey Desk Officer and covering economic issues.
Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Shiva worked in corporate finance for General Electric. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the College of the Holy Cross and a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Shiva speaks fluent Farsi and Spanish.