ICDS/EFPI is always glad to host interns and this summer we have had a great pleasure to welcome and work with eight bright students here in Tallinn.
We asked the interns to give a brief introduction of themselves and comment on their doings and what the internship has offered them.
Eero-Kristjan Sild
Internship duration: 16.03.2022 – 19.08.2022
From: Tallinn, Estonia
University: Sciences Po Paris
Brief description of work doings: I mainly worked with the EFPI, and where I wrote on different things concerning Russia. In addition to a commentary and a longer paper, I also helped with the UN-themed Conference, the Lennart Meri Conference, as well as more menial tasks such as translations etc.
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? The internship allowed me to considerably develop my research and writing skills, to meet a lot of very cool and interesting people, both in the office and on the outside, and to gain a general insight into the world of think-tank work.
Laura Louise Bocek
Internship duration: 13.06.2022 – 26.08.2022
From: California, USA
University: Stanford University, International Relations and Computer Science
Brief description of work doings: At ICDS I focused on defense innovation and how it factors into strategic planning.
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? The best thing about ICDS is the people. Being able to learn from the senior scholars and peers has been a true pleasure.
Annabel Peterson
Internship duration: 15.06.2022 – 19.08.2022
From: Tallinn, Estonia
University: Leiden University
Brief description of work doings: I deal with anything and everything related to Russia – which at this point in time comes down to the civilisational war with the West and the authoritarian crackdown within the country
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? Besides a bunch of good memories and intriguing political discussions, my time at ICDS has given me a much more nuanced understanding of the ongoing world affairs in their historical and political contexts.
Christina Isabelle Hill
Internship duration: 20.06.2022 – 18.08.2022
From: Hawaii, USA
University: Stanford University
Brief description of work doings: At ICDS, I worked on research related to cultural heritage management during the Russo-Ukraine war, Russia’s current role in the international space community, nuclear deterrence, and the risks to data privacy in the EU posed by Russia’s internet technology companies.
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? From my internship I’ve learned a great deal about research and writing succinctly for broader consumption. I plan to bring those skills with me to the next step in my career.
Philippine De Lagausie
Internship duration: 04.07.2022 – 02.09.2022
From: Aix en Provence, France
University: Sciences Po Aix MSc Geostrategy, Defence and International Security
Brief description of work doings: One of the projects I worked on was focused on communication and messaging as part of nuclear deterrence. I was also asked to contribute to a project with Chatham House entitled ‘The UK’s role in Nordic-Baltic security and prospects of the UK-Estonia defence cooperation’. Finally, I lead a personal project, “French nuclear interests in the Baltics”, aimed at shedding light on French defence policy in the Baltic area, in the face of the Russian threat and the prism of nuclear power.
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? Internship at ICDS allowed me to conduct in-depth studies of Baltic area defence issues, through bilateral and NATO cooperation. These studies gave me the opportunity to develop a solid knowledge of these subjects. They enable me to refine my approach to the geopolitics of Europe, confronted with the growing threat posed by Russia to the continent. In the framework of one of the projects, I had the opportunity to meet the Estonian Ambassador to NATO, Mr Jüri Luik. On a human level, being in contact with other interns of different nationalities was invigorating for me. It gives us all the opportunity to learn more about different cultures, and to open up to other views and conceptions of defence and international security. I think there is nothing more rewarding.
Isabella Martin
Internship duration: 06.07.2022 – 29.12.2022
From: Kentucky, USA
University: University of Louisville
Brief description of work doings: I am researching deterrence and Russian foreign policy.
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? I have learned a lot so far! I really like the people that work here and enjoy the conversations we have. So far, ICDS has given me a great community to learn from and hopefully to contribute to. I cannot wait for the rest of my stay here!
Anniki Mikelsaar
Internship duration: 01.08.2022 – 09.09.2022
From: Tartu, Estonia
University: Graduated from Sciences Po Paris & LSE, starting at Oxford
Brief description of work doings: Researching the changing EU policy on China
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? Grateful for the possibility to continue my research on the Indo-Pacific region in the EFPI/ICDS office, while learning from the brilliant researchers, experts, and the other interns here.
Jonas Heins
Internship duration: 01.08.2022 – 30.09.2022
From: Grevenbroich, Germany
University: University of Padova
Brief description of work doings: My work here is mainly concerned with supporting our Ukrainian college Tatyana Fedosyuk with her research work on resilience of the Ukrainian society in the face of the Russian aggression and beyond, as well as preparing briefings and commentaries about Russia´s hybrid war approach and the Russia-Syria connections. Of course, I also support my colleagues with administration work where I can.
What has internship at ICDS/EFPI given you? For the brief time I have been here, my work at ICDS has given me the opportunity to experience work in a non-commercial policy institute and conduct autonomous research, as well as given me the chance to prepare and participate in meetings and events with important policy-makers and stakeholders from all over the globe. Furthermore, I made many connections with a wide range of interesting and promising people at ICDS whom I hope to encounter again in future endeavours very much.
Commentaries by our interns:
- War in Ukraine Exposes Russia’s Influence in Africa, Eero Kristjan Sild
- Don’t Be Fooled, the US Is Not Long for Europe, Laura Louise Bocek
- Taiwan and Europe – Far Away, Not Worlds Apart, Anniki Mikelsaar
- With the Hybrid War, Russia and the West Both Played a Losing Hand, Annabel Peterson