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.