Meet our Fellows

Isabella is a final-year Bachelor of Political Science and Bachelor of International Relations student at the Australian National University, majoring in Human Rights and minoring in French Language and Culture.

 

She is immensely passionate about the intersection of Australian politics, Australian foreign policy, and human rights. In 2023, she completed research for the Federal Member for Goldstein, Ms Zoe Daniel, in Parliament House through the Australian National Internships Program. Her research focused on social media law and how lawmakers can combat the promotion of pro-eating disorder content online.

 

Since 2023, Isabella has also advocated for young people’s rights and interests through Amnesty International Australia’s Youth Advisory Group. She has recently deepened her commitment to the organisation by joining Amnesty’s Activism Leadership Committee for the ACT / Southern NSW region, where she works as a comms director for the area whilst contributing to domestic and international human rights campaigns.

James recently completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Modern Languages majoring in Political Science and International Relations, French Studies, and German Studies at the University of Western Australia. 

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In 2023, James gained experience working in multilateral diplomacy whilst undertaking a five-month internship at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, supporting Australia’s engagement at the UN across human rights, disarmament, health, humanitarian affairs and migration. In his spare time, James enjoys volunteering to help others improve their language skills and build confidence in conversational English.

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With fluency in French and German, James has a keen interest in the role which France and Germany play in shaping the European Union as the so-called ‘Franco-German engine’. As YAIA fellow, James looks forward to exploring contemporary geopolitical developments shaping Europe and the wider Eurasian region, including their implications for Australia and our region, the Indo-Pacific.

Poppy Bell is an emerging voice in international affairs, particularly passionate about the intersection of climate change, immigration, and social inequality in the Indo-Pacific. She is a Chancellor's Scholar at the University of Melbourne, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Politics & International Studies, Economics) and Diploma in French.

 

As a Public Affairs Analyst for international renewable energy developer CIP, Poppy engages with Government on environmental legislation and develops stakeholder engagement strategies for renewables projects across Australia and New Zealand. This experience has honed her understanding of the complex interplay between climate action, environmental policy, and cultural considerations. Poppy is a host of the Young Diplomats Society's Global Questions podcast, participant in Amnesty International's Leadership Launchpad, and volunteer tutor for migrant and refugee children.

 

She believes culturally diverse and youth perspectives are integral to building sustainable futures. As Climate and Environment Fellow, Poppy aims to bring innovative perspectives to environmental and geopolitical issues.

Charlotte Carles is a third year Bachelor of Laws (Honours) student from Fremantle. She loves languages and is learning French, Spanish and Indonesian. Charlotte is currently living in the Indo-Pacific region as a 2024 New Colombo Plan Scholar.

 

As Indo-Pacific Fellow, Charlotte intends to explore human rights and youth advocacy in the region. Her research areas of interest include archaeology, civil unrest and nuclear history.

 

Charlotte has interned at the Australian Consulate-General in French Polynesia. She was Notre Dame’s 2022 Merit Scholar and won Notre Dame’s 2023 Mock Trials competition. Charlotte is currently commencing a five-month placement at UNESCO in Jakarta centred on artificial intelligence governance and youth advocacy.

 

Charlotte has provided advice to the Council of Australian Law Deans as research consultant and is a certified scuba diver. She has worked extensively in volunteering and disability support. An active player in the global youth community, Charlotte is a member of the Pacific-Australia Youth Association and the Young Diplomats Society. 

Laura Klein completed her Bachelor of International Relations at the Australian National University majoring and minoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies. She spent nine months studying in South America including her final semester at La Universidad Pontificia Católica de Chile. 

 

Laura is well versed in understanding Australian-Latin American relations from undertaking an internship at the Embassy of Mexico in Australia, contributing to Latam Link and the ANU’s Spanish Society where she organised events to promote knowledge and shared understandings between Latin American Embassies, researchers and community. 

 

These experiences have instilled a deep affection and respect in Laura for the region and highlighted to her the importance of destigmatisation and promotion of the opportunities that abound in Latin America, especially to an Australian audience. 

 

Laura’s interest in understanding the dynamics of the region in its greater socio-economic and political context led her to seek further education. She has been accepted to a Masters program at the London School of Economics where she looks forward to further engaging in research.

Annaliese holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Politics and International Studies, with a minor in French. During an exchange semester at Sciences Po in France, she earned a Certificate of Social Sciences and Humanities. Her studies focused on Middle Eastern and South Asian politics.

 

Annaliese recently completed an internship at the International Centre for Religion and Diplomacy. In this role, she worked on projects and outreach initiatives aimed at fostering communication and understanding through religion and culture, believing that such efforts can create stronger and more enduring diplomatic ties.

 

Currently, Annaliese works within Courts Services Victoria. This role continues to provide her with a solid understanding of the Victorian Government's legal processes. In her spare time she enjoys reading, keeping up her french skills and sewing.

 

As a participant in the YAIA Fellowship program, Annaliese is excited to bring her background and skills to new projects and discussions

Edward holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Politics and Journalism) from the University of Notre Dame Fremantle. Admitted as a lawyer in 2024, he is currently working at an international commercial law firm in Melbourne. He has experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, working primarily in First Nations policy.

Edward has a passion for learning about cultures and stories emanating from Africa.

 

His engagement with the Continent stemmed from travelling in Eastern and Southern Africa for six months in 2022 and 2023. He hopes to a establish a career in the Continent with a keen interest on renewable energy and sustainable development. Edward is excited to bring to light stories from a young, dynamic and rapidly digitising population.

Ojasvi Rana is pursuing double degrees in Biomedical Engineering Honours and Arts in Economics at the University of Sydney. In 2023, she completed an academic exchange semester at the University of Pennsylvania. This experience underscored the importance of strengthening the US-Australia alliance to safeguard democracy through joint efforts in leading global techno-economic competitiveness.

 

As a YAIA United States Fellow, Ojasvi will explore these themes in depth in publications that reflect her interests in the intersectional fields of trade and technology policy. Her recent internship at the United States Studies Centre as an Emerging Technology and Economic Security Intern deepened her strategic geopolitical thinking, a highlight included presenting her AI policy brief to USSC. Additionally, she volunteers at the Young Diplomats Society as a Senior Correspondent, managing a team of field correspondents to publish fortnightly articles on world events. Ojasvi will further her studies at Cornell University, spending the 2024-2025 academic year in Ithaca, New York.

Tisha is a fourth-year Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Bachelor of Economics student at the Australian National University, with a keen interest in the intersections between policy, economics and social justice advocacy. 

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She is currently an editor at the East Asia Forum and Research Assistant at the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research, contributing to a project on policy approaches to supply chain resilience in Australia and the Asia-Pacific. As a technology consulting intern at MinterEllison, Tisha is particularly passionate about the role of technology in shaping approaches to geopolitical, climate and socioeconomic risks.

 

Tisha is excited to investigate the South Pacific as an increasingly central region to international discussion, and to explore the complex nature of gender, security and climate issues within various Pacific nations. She is keen to study Australia’s continually evolving role as a key development and regional partner to the Pacific.

Rani Ravinthran is an ambitious law and commerce student with a keen interest in the intersection of legal practice and emerging technologies. Currently in her final year of Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University, Rani has gained valuable experience in the technology, finance and litigation fields, positioning her well for future work in cyber law and space regulations.

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Her role as Community Manager at Speaking Schools Australasia has honed her skills in digital engagement and online presence management. Rani's involvement

with United Nations Youth Australia and Lifeline Australia reflects her global perspective, crucial in the rapidly evolving tech and space sector. 

 

With a background spanning legal, banking, and community outreach roles, Rani is well-equipped to navigate the multifaceted landscape of cyber, tech, and space law, aiming to make significant contributions to these cutting-edge fields.