BIO:
Leonhard is currently pursuing his Master of Arts in Political Science - Concentration in the United Nations and Global Policy Studies (UNMA Program) at Rutgers University New Brunswick. Before that, he completed a Master´s and a Bachelor´s degree in Political Science and Public Law in Germany, at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg. He is particularly concerned with how values like freedom, democracy, and equality can be empowered globally in a time when international rules are increasingly challenged. This is reflected in his interest in international relations and global policy, focusing on great power competition and its effects on the liberal international order. After graduation, Leonhard wants to pursue a PhD and a career in the think-tank world, where he can use his academic experience to make a difference in real-life policymaking. Working towards this goal, he contributes to the political science community by presenting his research on international migration as an instrument and symptom of global conflict at academic conferences. Furthermore, he strengthens his academic skills by being part of the MethodsNET social science research methods community. During an internship in the German Parliament, Leonhard supported legislative work and informed parliamentary speeches, gaining valuable real-life policymaking experience. In his free time, Leonhard loves to travel and spend time with his friends, ideally experiencing new cultures, environments, and lifestyles together. He speaks German and English fluently.