Kroc IPJ Practice Fellows Reflect on Fellowship Experience

Each year, the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice offers a Practice Fellowship to Kroc School students. Hear from MA in Peace and Justice students Katelyn Alam, Practice Fellow for Urban Violence, and Tri Indah Oktavianti, Practice Fellow for the Violence, Inequality and Power (VIP) Lab, about their experiences and learnings.

Katelyn Alam (left) and Tri Indah Oktavianti (right)

What were your expectations before you started your fellowship?

Katelyn Alam (KA): I honestly had no idea what to expect going into my fellowship, I just knew that I was interested in community-centered justice. I started reading the past evidence briefs from the Peace in Our Cities Network, and I was drawn toward not only the amazing knowledge coming out of places around the world, but the desire to network and exchange that knowledge.

Tri Indah Oktavianti (TIO): As a decolonial scholar with a background from the global south, I am deeply invested in exploring the intricate connections between inequality, injustice, and systemic oppression. By joining the VIP Lab, housed within the Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice, I wished to learn practical and actionable ideas, including those that would be of critical importance for conflict resolution, by investigating power relations and its pivotal role in perpetuating violence.

What are you most proud of accomplishing during your fellowship?

KA: Throughout my classes, I am constantly turning to examples from my fellowship. This semester, I am taking a community advocacy and development class, where we discuss some of the complexities that come within addressing various issues in communities. There are so many balances that can often make peacebuilding feel like an impossible task, yet the cities I have learned from through the fellowship have given me such amazing and tangible examples despite all the barriers, the efforts are not for nothing.

TIO: As a Practice Fellow for the VIP Lab, my current project involves conducting a traditional media review on threats and harassment directed at elected public officials in city counties and school boards. The project aims to shed light on the increasingly personal nature of these acts of violence, which are often unrelated to the officials' political stances or policies. Coming from a background in journalism, I find it intriguing that threats and harassment against elected officials in Southern California are not widely reported. This lack of awareness is concerning, as it could lead to under-represented individuals, who are often targeted, being driven out of public office. Such outcomes would not only impede efforts towards inclusivity but also hinder the progress of a more progressive political environment. I hope that through this traditional media review, I can stimulate more dialogue within modern media regarding the violence faced by elected officials and encourage deeper discussions on this important issue.

In what ways were you able to apply what you learned in your academic coursework to your fellowship? 

KA: I feel that I have gained so much knowledge from this experience. Along with supporting various projects for the Peace in Our Cities network, I have been connected with so many amazing peace practitioners that have given me different language and ideas for understanding complex issues of urban violence. I am most proud of the ways my own assumptions about pursuing peace have been challenged and grown through the course of this fellowship.

TIO: My academic coursework in Conflict Resolution and Analysis has provided me with a strong foundation in understanding the power of narratives, which I have found to be incredibly relevant and impactful in my fellowship. I learned about the importance of powerful channels such as media in shaping narratives and influencing public perception. This understanding has helped me see the significance of media reporting on threats and harassment against elected officials. With more media reporting threats and harassment against elected officials, there should be an increasing awareness that physically or verbally abusing your representatives is not a normal day-to-day reality. It is a form of violence that is morally wrong and must be stopped.

What skills did your fellowship help to cultivate?

KA: I learned a lot about what work goes into finding and writing grants, as well as how important collaboration is on various projects. I also learned a lot about the dialogues that come with pursuing ethical research, such as the Kroc IPJ learning with model, as well as the constant questions the institute asks itself on how to improve on how to improve their pursuit of peace.

TIO: My fellowship has been instrumental in cultivating a range of valuable skills, particularly in the areas of political understanding and research methodology. One of the key skills I have developed is a deepened knowledge of American politics, including state-wide and local county politics. Additionally, my fellowship has provided me with hands-on experience in conducting research and investigating media reports. I have learned how to sift through information, analyze data, and draw meaningful conclusions. This skill set has been crucial in understanding different forms of threats and harassment faced by elected officials. It has also enabled me to critically assess media narratives and identify key trends and patterns.

In light of your fellowship experience, how have your professional goals evolved?

KA: As this is the first year of my degree program, I held a burly idea of what I wanted to pursue in the future. However, after learning so much from my supervisors about violence prevention and reduction, my desire to pursue research in this field solidified. I was exposed to the complexity of so many issues facing communities, yet I was also exposed to so many people finding different ways to navigate solutions and create a more peaceful world.

TIO: Prior to my fellowship, I had a broad interest in the intersection of media and conflict resolution. However, through my hands-on work and research, I have gained a deeper understanding of the impact that media analysis and government relations can have on shaping narratives and perceptions. This insight has inspired me to pursue a career in this field, with a focus on leveraging media and government channels to promote peace and resolve conflicts. Drawing from my background as a journalist, I see myself working as a media analyst or media specialist in government agencies or think tanks. These roles would allow me to combine my passion for storytelling with my interest in peacebuilding, ultimately contributing to positive social change.

What advice would you have for a future Kroc IPJ Practice Fellow?

KA: There is so much knowledge in the Kroc IPJ office and so many amazing people to learn from. Ask questions and be curious about the way the people you work with are thinking about peacebuilding!

TIO: Embrace confusion and uncertainty as opportunities for learning and growth. The Kroc IPJ environment encourages exploration and discovery, so don't be afraid to ask questions, seek guidance, and challenge yourself. Also, take advantage of its flexibility to balance your fellowship responsibilities with your academic coursework. This flexibility allows you to tailor your experience to meet your learning goals and maximize your impact. The Kroc IPJ community is a valuable resource for support, feedback, and collaboration with peers and mentors. So approach your fellowship with curiosity, humility, and a commitment to positive change, and hopefully you will learn many things about yourself and the world around you.