Freedom in the World Junior Fellows

Arya Patel is the 2022-2023 Freedom in the World Junior Fellow for Sub-Saharan Africa. She graduated from Duke University in 2022 with a degree in Public Policy. Arya is particularly interested in the effect of democratic backsliding on ethnic and religious minorities, the impact of international policy on forced and voluntary migrants, and the role of protest in galvanizing reform. As a fellow, she hopes to explore these themes in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa’s varying democracies, active civil society, and complex political cleavages. Before joining Freedom House, Arya interned at the National Endowment for Democracy, founded Duke’s first international relations publication, and conducted field research for her honors thesis on migrant workers’ ability to access aid during COVID-19 in India.

Eilidh Stalker is the 2022-2023 Freedom in the World Junior Fellow for the Americas. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science. She is interested in countercultures and revolutionary societies, especially in Latin America. Before joining Freedom House, Eilidh pursued multiple opportunities related to her interests in prison reform and human rights.

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Alessandra Restifo was the 2021-2022 Freedom in the World Junior Fellow for the Americas. Alessandra enjoyed engaging with the program management responsibilities of the Junior Fellowship. She has pursued this interest as the USA Program Associate at the Eisenhower Fellowships, where she is crafting international programs and assisting in the implementation of the organization's inaugural USA Justice Program.

Matthew Barak was the 2021-2022 Freedom in the World Junior Fellow for Europe and Eurasia. Since April 2022, Matthew has worked as a Civic Information Research Associate at the Centerfor Tech and Civic Life. His research at CTCL helps ensure that all voters have the information they need to engage with U.S. democracy.

Alex Dent was the 2021-2022 Freedom in the World Junior Fellow for Sub-Saharan Africa. Since the end of the fellowship, Alex has remained in New York City and is currently working as a Research Associate for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.