You are here: American University School of Public Affairs PhD Programs Doctoral Students on the Market

SPA's PhD curriculum is designed to provide doctoral students with the skills to effect immediate impact.

With expertise spanning public management, global health governance, regulatory policy and more, our PhD candidates bring the research competency and academic rigor to their respective fields and educate the next generation of public affairs leaders.

Public Administration PhD Students

Victoria Gibney Adjunct Instructor SPA | Public Administration

Victoria Hunter Gibney is a doctoral candidate and adjunct instructor in American University's Department of Public Administration and Policy. Her research interests include material hardship and anti

  vg7211a@american.edu

Political Science PhD Students

Dakota Strode Adjunct Instructor SPA | Government

Dakota Strode is a PhD candidate studying Political Science at American University. His research in American politics focuses on LGBTQ politics, political behavior, campaigns and elections, and politi

  ds4090a@american.edu

Abdullah Atalan

Abdullah is a PhD student at American University. He studies comparative politics, political methodology with concentrations in civil-military relations and regime-types in the Middle East. Abdullah w

  aa7174a@american.edu

Justice, Law & Criminology PhD Students

Natalie Chwalisz Adjunct Instructor

Natalie Chwalisz received her PhD from  the School of Public Affairs, in the Justice, Law and Criminology Department. She focuses in on human smuggling, mixed migration and forced displacement.In her

  chwalisz@american.edu