Research Team

Babak Bahador

Program Director

Babak Bahador is an associate research professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) at George Washington University, where he teaches a course on Media and Peacebuilding. He is also a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dylan Salgado

Research Assistant

Dylan Salgado is a third-year political science student from Managua, Nicaragua. He currently serves as the Secretary of the Loudoun County Young Democrats. Alongside his work with the Media and Peacebuilding Project, Dylan is a Communications Fellow for a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Outside of his academic and professional endeavors, he enjoys spending time with friends and family and reading about Latin American politics and Nicaraguan history, particularly focusing on the Somoza era and the Chamorro administration. Before joining the research team, Dylan contributed to several political campaigns in Florida and Virginia. After graduating from George Washington University, he plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in human rights in Latin America.

Nicole Hansen

Research Assistant

Nicole Hansen is a third-year undergraduate student studying Criminal Justice, English, and minoring in Arabic Studies at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at GWU. She is currently working as a student Research Assistant with the GWU School of Media and Public Affairs. She is also an editor for the Refugee Education Advancement Lab (REAL), as well as an active member of GWU RAGE and the Women's Pre-Law Student Association. When not studying or working, she spends her time volunteering with the Petey Greene Program and Miriam’s Kitchen to further support the DC community. She has passions in research, service, and advocacy, and currently plans to pursue a career in human/civil rights law after the completion of her degree.

Lekhya Manthri

Research Assistant

Lekhya Manthri is from South Riding, Virginia. She is a first-year student at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Data Science and exploring a potential minor in music. Her academic interests center around public health and clinical research, but she is also deeply intrigued by public policy, political systems, communication, and their intersection with global health. After graduation, she intends to pursue a career that bridges science and diplomacy—perhaps something like a global health diplomat or a health policy advisor—roles that operate at the crossroads of medicine, politics, and international collaboration. Lekhya is focused on discovering meaningful ways to contribute to the future of healthcare through data, advocacy, and interdisciplinary exploration. She enjoys researching, volunteering, reading/writing, traveling, and spending time with family.

Keiran Bhalla

Research Assistant

Keiran is an undergraduate senior majoring in philosophy at GWU as well as a student research assistant with the GWU School of Media and Public Affairs. After graduation, he has aspirations to go into the field of either constitutional or international law, hoping to one day enter into diplomacy and politics.

Kalinda Milkie

Research Assistant

Kalinda is a research assistant for the Media and Peacebuilding Project. She is a philosophy major in her senior year

Former Research Team

Kylie Hopkins

Research Assistant

Kylie Hopkins is a second year at the George Washington University studying Political Science, Public Policy Focus and Criminal Justice. She is interested in the analysis, implementation, and effectiveness of policy, and the intersection of domestic and international politics. Before joining the research team, she worked in the DC office of her local congressman. She is from Connecticut and loves to play lacrosse, watch sports, and travel.

Stephen Garvey

Research Assistant

Stephen Garvey is a 2nd-year student from Northport, NY studying Political Science: Public Policy Focus. He is highly involved around campus as he is: District House President in the Residence Hall Association (RHA), Partnerships & Coalitions Director for Swing Left GWU, Deputy Director of Campaigns & Activism for GW College Democrats, and a Senate Committee Assistant for the Student Government Association (SGA). In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family/friends, watching football, and camping.

Allyson Clay

Website and Social Media Manager

Allyson Clay is a graduate student at the George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. She is working towards her master’s degree in media and strategic communications. Allyson holds a bachelor’s in public relations with minors in Spanish, and peace, ethics, and social justice. Aside from the joining the Media and Peacebuilding Project, she is a communications assistant at the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at GW. Allyson is from Illinois, and loves to try new coffee shops, cook new recipes, and create social media content.