2012-2013 Luce Scholar

Cody Poplin graduated with an honors degree in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In spring 2010, he earned an honors fellowship for foreign policy research in Washington, D.C. under the tutelage of former National Security Council Executive Secretary and Ambassador, William Itoh. The research he completed on the conflict in Kashmir was later published in Global Security Studies Journal. While in Washington, Cody also interned with World Vision, where he worked to secure legislation that increased punitive measures against child trafficking. In fall 2010, he studied in the War Studies Department of King’s College London, where he researched the legality of preemptive action in international relations. Academically, he is particularly interested in the management of international strategic incentives and political grand strategy, as well as the identification of causal mechanism in conflict with the ultimate goal of fostering development, trade, and a greater protection for civil and human rights. At Carolina, Cody has directed leadership seminars on diversity, taught a class on democratization, founded and presided over a fraternity, and coordinated lectures on foreign policy at senior centers throughout Chapel Hill. In addition, he has served as the Vice-Chair of the Student Congress. Last summer, he cycled from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. as part of an effort that raised almost $600,000 and sought to increase awareness for people with disabilities. Currently, for his honors thesis, Cody is researching how presidential action in the international arena affects global public opinion towards the United States and if such fluctuations affect the ability of the United States to accomplish international objectives. He plans to enter a career in national security and foreign policy advisement in hopes of contributing to the emerging framework of global relations.