Neha Ansari [email protected] | (301) 703-0222 EDUCATION The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University Medford, MA PhD in International Relations May 2020 Dissertation title: “From ‘God’s Wrath’ to ‘Miracle Birds’: The Shift in Public Opinion on U.S. Drone Strikes in FATA” Institute for Qualitative and Multi-Method Research (IQMR) Syracuse, NY Summer Research Methods Seminar, The Maxwell School of Citizenship June 2016 and Public Affairs, Syracuse University Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education Cambridge, MA Executive Graduate Seminar: US and South Asia Counterterrorism Efforts April-May 2015 The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University Medford, MA Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy May 2013 University of Karachi Karachi, Pakistan Master of Arts in International Relations December 2009 University of Karachi December 2008 Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in International Relations HONORS & AWARDS • Eisenhower/Roberts Graduate Fellowship 2018 • Center for Strategic Studies PhD Fellowship 2018 • Sarah Scaife Foundation PhD Research Fellowship 2017 • Frank Rockwell Barnett Memorial Grant in International Security Studies 2015, 2016 • Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Research Fellowship 2015 • Somerville Pickney Tuck Memorial Fellowship 2012 • Fulbright Master’s Scholarship 2011-2013 • First position in Master’s: Best Student Award and Gold Medal 2009 • First position in Bachelor’s (Hons): Best Student Award and Gold Medal 2008 UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Office of Executive Education, The Fletcher School Medford, MA Assistant Lecturer, U.S. Diplomatic History and Foreign Policy July 2018 Department of Political Science, Tufts University Medford, MA Teaching Fellow, Introduction to International Relations Fall 2017 Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Teaching Assistant, Contemporary South Asia Spring 2016 Teaching Assistant, South Asia and China: Connections and Comparisons Spring 2016 Teaching Assistant, Islam and the West Fall 2016 Teaching Assistant, Islam and the West Fall 2015 Research Assistant, Prof. Ayesha Jalal and Prof. Richard Shultz Sept 2015-2017 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Tufts University Study group teacher Jan-Feb 2013 Designed and taught a four-week Winter semester course titled “The Idea of Pakistan: Past, Present, Future,” which concentrated on Pakistan’s history, security, religiosity and Indo-centricism ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Sandia National Laboratories, US Department of Energy Albuquerque, NM/Vienna Austria Non-Resident Scholar June 2015-present • Lead research on the Pakistani media, its strategic culture and public discourse on nuclear weapons and security • Devise communications and online media strategy for web-based public diplomacy related to nuclear security • Design, organize, and conduct training workshops for Pakistani journalists on improved reporting and researching on issues related to nuclear weapons security Office of Executive Education, The Fletcher School Medford, MA Program Manager May-Aug 2018 • Created course outlines and syllabi of Executive Education programs • Managed course schedules and deliverables • Strategized the program’s expansion and identified potential partnerships NESA Center, National Defense University Washington, DC Research and Program Consultant Oct 2014-Aug 2015 • Provided expert background on Pakistan and South Asian affairs to NESA faculty for their research, teaching and outreach efforts • Assisted in conceptualizing and organizing lectures and seminars related to US policy in South Asia, including, inter alia, helping to identify and communicate with outside experts who might serve as guest speakers • Served as panelist and lecturer, as requested, dealing with US-Pakistan relations and US policy in South Asia more generally Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Washington, DC Visiting Researcher, Nuclear Policy Program/South Asia Program Sep 2014-July 2015 • Awarded grant to author a research report on media coverage of nuclear security issues in Pakistan and India for a US government agency • Organized talks and engagements between US experts and Pakistani and Indian journalists • Submitted a report on Pakistan’s quest to obtain sea-based nuclear delivery systems and its implications for nuclear deterrence in South Asia The Express Tribune, NYT-partnered English-language daily newspaper Karachi, Pakistan Columnist & Associate Editor, National/International Affairs Aug 2013-Aug 2014 • Edited, composed front-page news articles, wrote editorials, op-eds, and political commentaries on national and regional security issues • Coordinated with all news bureaus, supervised the organization of daily coverage, and implemented editorial policies • Commissioned, prepared, finalized special research-based reports • Trained newly appointed sub-editors and interns Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Washington, DC Research Intern, Transnational Threats Project June-Aug 2012 • Co-wrote a published report on “Trends of Militancy Across South Asia” • Presented an unpublished report, titled “Changing Trends of Militancy in India” to the Singaporean Government and the SME Senior Advisory Group • Led the organization and coordination of the CSIS team’s Pakistan field visit The Express Tribune Karachi, Pakistan Assistant City Editor Nov 2009 – Jul 2011 • Executed the newspaper’s launch with the publication’s leadership • Edited and authored leading stories for the Karachi city pages • Reported events, published investigative pieces, usually related to security concerns, diplomatic affairs, and political-ethnic violence • Supervised reporters and managed assignments SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Journal articles - “(In)Stable Afghanistan: Impact of NATO’s Departure on Pakistan,” Journal of European Studies Vol. 31 Issue 2, pp.114-133 - “The ‘Unmanned’ Conflict in Pakistan,” Al-Nakhlah (May 2013), pp.1-6 Think Tank Reports (authored and contributed to) - “Nuclear Nix: Censorship, Media Coverage and Public Discourse of Nuclear Weapons and Energy in Pakistan” (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) – presented to US Department of State - “Trends in Militancy Across South Asia – The Region on the Brink” (April 2013), CSIS Transnational Threats and the CSIS Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Threat Program, contributed to research and writing a chapter Selected Op-Eds and News Articles - “What Will It Take to Stabilize Afghanistan,” Global Observatory, International Peace Institute (Nov 15, 2018) - “Not Fit to Print: An Insider’s Account of Pakistani Censorship,” Foreign Policy (Nov 20, 2014) - “Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Plan May Have Created a Monster,” National (Nov 11, 2014) - “Pakistan Pummelled by Terror with Worrisome Sectarian Trend,” Express Tribune (May 2, 2014) - “Pakistan’s Balancing Act,” Express Tribune (March 28, 2014) - “Analysis: Drone Discrepancy,” Express Tribune (Nov 1, 2013) - “Banning the Terrorists: The Outlawed Outsmart the Law,” Express Tribune (Oct 10, 2013), - “The ‘Enemy’ Within,” Express Tribune (Sept 27, 2013) - “Drones Not a Violation of our Sovereignty,” Express Tribune (July 23, 2013) - “Drones: A Losing Strategy,” Fletcher Forum of World Affairs (Nov 16, 2012) INVITED PRESENTATIONS Lewis & Clarke College Portland, OR Guest lecture: “From ‘God’s Wrath’ to ‘Miracle Birds’: The Shift in Dec 11, 2018 Public Opinion on U.S. Drone Strikes in FATA” International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Convention San Francisco, CA Presentation: Dissertation chapter on panel titled “Drones, Peace and Conflict” April 5-8, 2018 Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Conference Chicago, IL Presentation: Co-authored paper on the multi-sectarian strategy of United States April 6-9, 2017 to defeat ISIL in Iraq, identifying sectarian inclusion as the key variable in achieving American objectives of governance and stabilization. Military Pre-Departure Orientation NDU, Washington DC Presentation for US military officers on aspects of Pakistan’s media Dec 10, 2014 landscape and its role in Pakistani politics prior to their deployment to the region South Asia after NATO Withdrawal from Afghanistan: University of Karachi Emerging Dynamics and Impact on Inter-State Relations Aug 25, 2014 Presentation of paper ‘(In)Stable Afghanistan: Security Impactions for Pakistan After NATO’s Withdrawal” Track II Workshop: Deterrence Stability in South Asia Istanbul, Turkey Lecture on Pakistan’s sub-conventional warfare and its impact on Jun 18-20, 2014 deterrence stability on South Asia and led a group discussion among participants US Joint Staff 7th Strategic Multilayer Assessment (SMA) Conference AFB-Andrews, MD Presentation on the potential of US religious engagement in Pakistan Nov 13-14, 2013 and the region, and the importance of context and narrative in any kind of conflict transformation, conflict resolution and peace-building Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG), United States Army Fort Meade, MD Presentation of policy brief titled, “The Silver Lining: How changes in Pakistan's June 12, 2012 polity provide an opportunity for the US” and how the US can use these developments as a leverage vis-a-vis the Afghan transition PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Non-Resident Scholar, Sandia National Laboratories, US Department of Energy Doctoral Fellow, Center for Strategic Studies, Tufts University LANGUAGES English (native), Urdu (speaking: native, writing: high proficiency), Pashto (elementary) .