News
Batten Experts Discuss Humanitarian Response to Earthquake in Haiti with BBC, Christian Science Monitor
Batten School experts are weighing in on the international humanitarian response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti last weekend. Batten professor Kirsten Gelsdorf, who worked in 2010 as the Humanitarian Advisor to President Clinton in his role as the UN Special Envoy for the Haiti Earthquake, spoke to The Christian Science Monitor and alum Makayla Palazzo (MPP ’18) joined "BBC World News" live from Port-au-Prince.
'Deal with the root causes': Harris visits U.S.-Mexico border after months of pressure on immigration
In advance of Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Batten professor Lucy Bassett spoke with USA Today about the significance of the trip, and the complexity of the root causes contributing to record numbers of migrants seeking asylum at the southern border.
Gelsdorf Talks Humanitarian Aid Misconceptions on NPR's 'With Good Reason'
Batten's Kirsten Gelsdorf has spent over 20 years working for the United Nations and other organizations in the humanitarian sector. On a recent episode of "With Good Reason," Gelsdorf discussed her experience in disaster zones as well as commonly-held misconceptions about humanitarian aid.
Climate, Violence, and Honduran Migration to the United States
Migration from Honduras to the U.S. has been growing for years. New research by Batten's David Leblang, director of the Global Policy Center, and Duke University's Sarah Bermeo suggests the movement is a result of persistent violence coupled with food insecurity linked to climate change. Leblang and Bermeo wrote about their findings in a blog for Brookings.
Here's Who Biden Might Pick for OMB Director as Neera Tanden's Confirmation Looks Unlikely
The Biden administration is heading back to square one as the chances for a Neera Tanden confirmation, the president's initial pick for director of the Office of Management and Budget, seems increasingly unlikely to gain enough Senate votes. Batten’s David Leblang spoke to Newsweek about potential candidates under consideration to take Tanden's place.
Our Immigration Policy Has Done Terrible Damage to Kids
In an op-ed for Scientific American, Batten's Lucy Bassett and co-author Hirokazu Yoshikawa outline immediate steps the Biden-Harris administration should take to begin addressing the trauma inflicted upon children through inhumane immigration policies.
The Past, Present, and Future of U.S. Refugee Policy
In honor of Global Week at UVA, Batten professor and policy expert David Leblang and Anne Richard, who served as assistant secretary of state for population, migration, and refugees under President Obama, discussed the dramatic shift in our country's stance on people seeking asylum in the U.S.
Leblang's "Pandemics Beyond the Headlines" Among Signature J-Term Courses
This year, UVA's J-Term offerings feature interdisciplinary courses addressing some of today’s most urgent issues and team-taught by great professors across Grounds, including Batten's David Leblang.
Opinion: Now is the time to prioritize mental health
It is estimated that only 2% of people around the world have access to mental health and psychosocial support, or MHPSS. The question is, will COVID-19 offer us a chance to change this? Batten’s Kirsten Gelsdorf and Lucy Bassett provide critical insights into the barriers to progress in MHPSS interventions, and identify opportunities to prioritize and invest in new programs going forward.
The Batten School and UVA Equity Center Ally with Local Organizations to Fight Food Insecurity
Local leaders like Batten's Brooke Ray say the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a sharp increase in unemployment claims across the commonwealth and the country, is exacerbating existing problems like food insecurity, especially where systemic issues already existed.
You Can Be a Good Neighbor and a Global Citizen During the COVID-19 Crisis
Batten's Kirsten Glesdorf and David Leblang, along with Alison Criss from UVA’s School of Medicine and Rebecca Dillingham from the Center for Global Health at the University of Virginia, write about actions to take to develop a preparedness plan and be a good neighbor during the COVID-19 crisis.
Two Batten Professors of Practice Focus on Raising Children in Refugee Camps
Batten School professors Kirsten Gelsdorf and Lucy Bassett create international collaborations to help solve problems of crisis and conflict.
