Who Will Do the Honors? Government Students Share their Research

At the beginning of April, Government students presented their senior research projects at the Charles Center Undergraduate Research Symposium in Sadler. The students were part of a cohort who received funding for their thesis project through a Charles Center Honors Fellowship. They demonstrated their commitment to scholarly contribution amidst the clamor of questions and abundance of charcuterie. Across two sessions from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM on Friday, April 3, nine Government students were invited to discuss their findings through poster-sessions and on panels.

Madeline Ludwig’ 26 presented her research during the first poster session of the symposium. Advised by Professor Philip Roessler, Ludwig traveled to Tanzania to study the integration of AI into local communities. Collaborating with the local university, Ludwig collected preliminary data on the use of AI text and voice models in a developing context. Though her research is not yet complete, likely requiring another visit to the country, it promises to inform us on how developing nations tackle the digital divide.


Bailey Nicholson ’26 presented his work in a panel discussion during the second session of the symposium. Advised by Professor Daniel Maliniak ‘06, Nicholson presented his honors research on U.S. sanctions and aid to the Republic of Georgia. Through a combination of sophisticated formulas and data analysis, he analyzed the nature of the “carrots and sticks” employed by the U.S. to affect Georgia’s behavior. In light of recent democratic backsliding in the country, his research evaluates the ways in which sanctions may (or may not) prove useful in encouraging best practices in other states.

Other Government majors presenting at the symposium were Georgia Freyer ‘26, Ember Rolf ‘26, and, Kayce Madancy ‘26. Congratulations to all these students and their incredible research!