Alexis Eberlein owes the student leaders with whom she interacted on campus her first semester for inspiring her to take part in real-world, impactful projects. Eberlein, a senior studying in the Honors Tutorial College of (HTC), political science, has become the leader she once looked up too.
Since my first semester at Ohio University, I knew I wanted to be involved with Voinovich School in some capacity. I also hoped to become a Voinovich Scholar during my time at OHIO. Eberlein, a Charles R. & Lizabeth K. Emrick Cutler scholar and Voinovich research scholar, said. Voinovich Scholars were many of the students I looked up to when I was a first year student. I was inspired and impressed by the impactful and hands-on research projects they were involved in.
Eberlein has a focus in war and peace research and is interested international law and human right. She has been a Voinovich Scholar and has been able explore international legal and human security issues related to the environment. She is currently researching geoengineering and the security implications for global governance. This is a large-scale technological intervention on the earth’s climate system in order to reduce or reverse the negative effects of climate change.
Eberlein said that while scientific advances have the potential to be successful, there is still a lot of uncertainty around the potential risks they may pose. My research focuses upon the need for the international community, to reach a consensus on how to govern geoengineering and to build the capacity to do this equitably, with local, regional and global implications.
Dr. Andrew Ross, her HTC director, introduced her to Dr. Geoff Dabelkos research team. There she was able learn more about the important work Dabelko was doing on climate security and become a research apprentice.
Dabelko stated that Alexis and other students like her deserve my praises for seeking out experiences that push them beyond their disciplinary or topical comfort zones. Alexis, a political sciences HTC student with a traditional focus on foreign and security policies, did not have much prior experience with climate change topics. But she was open to the idea of doing in-depth research because she believed it would benefit her policy-friendly communication skills.
Eberlein’s participation in the Dabelkos research group helped her to her current role of Voinovich Research Scholar. Here she has continued to build her leadership and professional skills through hands on environmental security research. She also had the opportunity to work alongside external partners based out of Washington, D.C., as well as Stockholm, Sweden.
Eberlein, a Dabelkos researcher, has been involved in a project that is part of Stockholm International Peace and Research Institutes’ (SIPRI) 2022 Environment of Peace report. Eberlein said that this multi-national project aims to increase understanding about how climate change and other environmental crises can increase security and peace.
Over the next year, the Environment of Peace Initiative will produce several reports. Voinovich School researchers are leading one section of the report. Eberlein was the primary author of the analysis of geoengineering’s conflict potential as a possible solution to climate change. Eberlein and Daniel Bell-Moran, a graduate student in environmental studies, are just two of the many contributors to the international project.
Eberlein said that it was a rewarding experience to collaborate with international researchers in illuminating policy and action pathways.
Eberlein also assisted in editing proofs for scholarly articles before publication, reviewed emerging literature and had the opportunity interview Dimitrios Kantemnidis, a former Greek Naval Officer in Greece’s Hellenic Navy. Her work was published recently on The Woodrow Wilson Centers. New Security BeatThis highlights the importance to combine the security and environment sectors in climate risk mitigation.
Dabelko states that Eberlein was one of many students who worked in the Dabelko Research Group and published contributions in the dynamic, policy-focused outlet for Environmental Change and Security Program at Wilson Center.
Dabelko explained that the Voinovich School uses a learning by doing approach both inside and outside of the classroom. Voinovich Scholars such as Alexis can work with many practitioners from all over the globe through the school’s external applied research mission. Alexis and myself have section Zoom calls that began at 7 a.m. because we have collaborations in Australia, Holland and Sweden. Alexis has gained valuable insight from working with professionals at different stages of their careers to understand the essential skills required to work on single projects in an inter-disciplinary group with deadlines and large expected audiences.
Eberlein dreams of becoming an international lawyer who works to address human rights issues in international organizations or government entities. Eberlein is interested in diplomacy as well as a career in Foreign Service.
Eberlein stated that my research with Dr. Dabelko has shown me how closely the environment is connected to security, health, and protection of human rights at an international level. Dr. Dabelko taught me the importance of finding new opportunities and connecting with people. I have grown as a student, researcher, practitioner, and aspiring physician through Dr. Dabelkos mentorship. He is passionate about the success of his scholars, and he consistently points out opportunities for students on campus and outside to pursue new and exciting roles.