The DRC’s International Fellows bring diverse academic, professional, and regional perspectives from around the world to the network. With expertise spanning democratic resilience, security and governance research, crisis management, international relations, peacebuilding, technology policy, and social cohesion, they enrich the Centre’s interdisciplinary exchange and research activities. Through their scholarship, practical experience, and international networks, they make valuable contributions to the development of innovative approaches for strengthening democratic societies. Here, we introduce the DRC’s International Visiting Scholars and the leadership responsible for coordinating this program.
Dr. Jill Long – Lead Executive Operations & International Research Fellows
Dr. Long ist eine pensionierte Stabsoffizierin der U.S. Air Force, bringt mehr als 30 Jahre praktische Erfahrung als Sicherheitsexpertin und 15 Jahre Erfahrung als Senior Professorin für Strategische Führung in das Democratic Resilience Centre ein. Dr. Long hat das Strategic Emergence Model™ entwickelt und damit eine Struktur geschaffen, die strategisches Design für hybride Konflikte und den Wettbewerb zwischen Großmächten unterstützt und eine Verbindung zwischen großangelegten strategischen Überlegungen und Planungsprozessen auf Behörden- und Ministerialebene herstellt. Als Vorsitzende im Democratic Resilience Centre leitet sie den Prozess der Umsetzung der Forschungsergebnisse des Zentrums in praktische Lösungen, die potenzielle Bedrohungen für Demokratien mindern und die demokratische Resilienz stärken können.
Alison Buchanan (Canada) is a resilience professional specializing in technical governance, risk, and crisis management across public and private sector environments, currently serving as an Adjunct Professor of Homeland Security and Public Safety at Niagara University and Seneca Polytechnic. She brings deep operational experience in crisis and continuity planning across public sector, private sector, and NGO settings. She holds a Master of Disaster and Emergency Management from York University, a Master of Professional Studies in Security and Terrorism Studies through the National Consortium for the Study of Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland, and is a PhD candidate at Niagara University, where her research focuses on technical governance in digital spaces. Alison serves on the Board of Directors at CanOps and on advisory boards on Resilience Next, the Safe AI Foundation, and Roblox’s Safety Committee, and advises two tech startups in AI safety.
Samuel Gausi (Germany/Malawi) is a PhD Researcher at Leuphana University Lüneburg, working at the intersection of democratic innovations and sustainability governance in sub-Saharan Africa. He has spent several years in international development cooperation, most recently working on Strategic Foresight at the United Nations and Energy Access at GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation). He holds an MA in Development and Governance from the University of Duisburg-Essen and a BA in Political Science from the University of Malawi.
Samuel Gausi (Germany/Malawi) is a PhD Researcher at Leuphana University Lüneburg, working at the intersection of democratic innovations and sustainability governance in sub-Saharan Africa. He has spent several years in international development cooperation, most recently working on Strategic Foresight at the United Nations and Energy Access at GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation). He holds an MA in Development and Governance from the University of Duisburg-Essen and a BA in Political Science from the University of Malawi.
Mustafa Gurgaze (The Netherlands) is a development professional with over 15 years of experience in promoting democracy, human rights, peacebuilding, and community resilience. He has led programs in partnership with governments, UN agencies, and international organizations to strengthen inclusive governance and social cohesion. His expertise includes capacity building, advocacy, and organizational development.
Ardahan Özkan Gedikli (Germany) is a PhD researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) and has been working as a Research Associate at Helmut Schmidt University since May 2023. Following the completion of his master’s degree at the University of Sussex, he worked as a public sector consultant in Ankara. His recent publications include a book chapter on Turkish-German relations and a peer-reviewed article on European Union Mediterranean policy. As a fellow of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Ardahan focuses on peace and conflict research, development assistance, Turkish foreign policy, European politics, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and discourse analysis.
Fabio Kadner (Germany) is a social scientist, public sector consultant, and trainer. He has several years of experience empowering cities on their path toward data-driven governance and sustainable smart city development, working at the strategic and operational levels. An interdisciplinary academic background underpins his work, spanning a B.A. in political science, sociology, and media science from Düsseldorf and an M.A. in development cooperation and international relations from Bonn and Ankara. His research addresses social resilience factors in offline and online spaces, as well as autocratic and illiberal tendencies that challenge democratic systems. As a DRC Fellow, he is committed to translating research insights into actionable steps and civic education formats.
Dr. Roxanne Franklin Lorio (USA/France) is a strategist and advisor with more than two decades of experience across philanthropy, government and civil society. Her work focuses on helping institutions translate complex social, policy and systems challenges into practical strategies that strengthen communities, improve implementation and support more responsive public systems. She is the founder of Caprien, a strategic advisory practice, and previously held leadership roles at Bloomberg Philanthropies, E Pluribus Unum and the City of New Orleans. Roxanne holds degrees in law, social work and world arts and cultures.
Winjoy Marangu (Germany/Kenya) holds a master’s degree in International Relations and has a keen interest in democratic governance and public policy. Through policy analysis and research, she seeks to contribute to evidence-informed solutions that strengthen resilient institutions and promote sustainable peace.
Josie Garza Medina (USA) is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Sociology program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She holds a Master of Arts in Cultural Studies from the same university. Her Master of Arts thesis focused on gender expression and performance in cyberpunk media, with a case study of the video game Cyberpunk 2077. Her Master of Science research project reviewed extant literature on gender-affirming surgeries in Weimar Republic-era Berlin.
Dr. Pankaj Mehrotra (India) has PhD, MS and BS in Sciences from Universities in Scotland, United States of America and India. Panjak also studied in Universities in Denmark, England, Germany and Spain. He worked at higher education institution in Thailand and China and completed policies and diplomacy courses from universities. He brings his experience in science, teaching, scientific teaching, scientific research, educational research, leadership, policy, policy brief and diplomacy to the DRC fellowship.
Dahlia Naguib (Canada) is a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology graduate and Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in Ontario, Canada, with expertise in trauma-informed care, community mental health, and cross-sector partnerships. Experienced in supporting youth, diverse communities, and individuals impacted by conflict, war, displacement, and political instability. Committed to strengthening resilience, decision making, psychological safety, social cohesion, and equitable systems through culturally responsive practice. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic.
Danielle Seiwaa Owusu (Ghana) is a B.Sc. Geophysics student at the University of Ghana with experience in geoscience research and technical writing. She has contributed to research, content development, and public engagement through internships, leadership roles, and volunteer initiatives. Her interests span sustainable infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and interdisciplinary research that addresses societal challenges.
John “Jack” Rodman (USA) has three decades of experience with multiple agencies, military commands, and foreign partners addressing future threats like malign influence, hybrid warfare, and shifts in strategic deterrence. He has developed exercises, research programs, and strategies to explore the most critical defense, intelligence, and whole-of-nation challenges to the United States.
Jacqueline Thiele (Germany) is a Police Commissioner with the Berlin Police and holds a Master’s degree in International Security Management from the Berlin School of Economics and Law. As an incoming PhD researcher focusing on institutional resilience, security governance, and the future of public security, she combines operational experience in public security with academic inquiry. Her research explores how security institutions can adapt, innovate, and remain effective in an increasingly complex global security environment.
Yu-Chen Tong (Taiwan) is an M.A. candidate in European and East Asian Governance at Trier University, with a foundational background in media and communication studies from National Taiwan University and the University of Tübingen. He is experienced in conducting policy-oriented analysis and open-source intelligence (OSINT) research, with a focus on geoeconomics, Chinese public policy, and EU migration policy.
Paweł Witczak (Poland) is an international affairs specialist focusing on German foreign policy, transatlantic security, European order and Central and Eastern Europe. His work combines policy research, strategic analysis, programme development and engagement with public institutions, think tanks, academia and business. He holds degrees in American Studies, Eastern Studies and German Philology and works across Polish-, English- and German-language sources.
Letzte Änderung: 11. September 2026