Pardee Undergrads Reflect on Their Overseas Research Experiences Supported by Keylor Travel Fund
Each year the William R. Keylor Travel Fund sponsors Pardee undergraduate students to help them pursue their international travel endeavors for scholarly purposes. This gives young students an opportunity to experience the world of diplomacy and international relations up close, enriching their research efforts and expanding their worldview.
Established in 2018, the fund honors Professor Emeritus of International Relations and History William Keylor’s many contributions to Boston University and the Pardee School. It was created with an initial contribution from Pardee School Dean’s Advisory Board member Karen Ansara.
This year the William R. Keylor Travel Fund sponsored three Pardee undergraduate students: Katie Harmon (BA IR ’25), Nathan Duong (BA IR ’25), and Cole Hecker (BA IR ’26).
For Katie, the opportunity to go to London and gain insights into ancient Persian artifacts at the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the British Library was “life-changing.”
“I knew prior to this trip that the research I would conduct in London would make a huge difference for my thesis, but only after I got there did I see just exactly what a difference it would make,” said Katie. “My thesis would not be possible without this trip, as witnessing these artifacts in person, having the meetings with the curator, and getting the experience of going into the study room at the British Museum and the reading room at the British Library, answered my remaining questions that were hindering me from finishing this project.”
Nathan traveled to Malaysia to investigate the human impact of refugee illegality for his thesis, “Rights vs. Rhetoric: Determinants in the Abuse of Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia.”
“The Keylor Travel Grant allowed me to speak with refugee community leaders, service providers, human rights advocates, a prominent legal aid attorney, and a resettlement staffer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),” said Nathan. “I spoke at length with interviewees about how their lived experiences and refugee service work are shaped by Malaysia’s citizenship laws and immigration enforcement practices. These fieldwork interviews allowed me a deeper level of analysis, and rooted my findings more directly in the experiences of impacted individuals and refugee rights defenders.”
During his visit to Riyadh, Cole interacted with several key actors in Saudi Arabia’s political and economic circles. These conversations with them helped him understand the country’s evolving role that’s gradually embracing a forward-looking approach with foreign investments and cross-cultural collaboration.
“The country’s business landscape has become more competitive as Vision 2030 continues to realize, for a physical embodiment of this he suggested we visit the King Abdullah Financial District or ‘KAFD,’” said Cole. “KAFD, is a highly developed financial district with prodigious and imposing skyscrapers featuring the names of some of the world’s largest companies. Many of the buildings also stood empty in preparation for growth to come as the national agenda comes into fruition. Western shops and restaurants stood as marks for changing times. Abayas are no longer mandatory due to the reforms, but most choose to wear them.”
Click on the links below to read the full reflections from the recipients of the 2025 William R. Keylor Travel Fund.