Ford Program Core Team
Patrizio Piraino
DIRECTOR
Director of the Ford Program and professor of education, labor, and development in the Keough School of Global Affairs, Piraino's research focuses on the intersection of education and development, including human capital and labor market policies in developing regions, and the broader determinants of socio-economic disadvantage. More
Maurice Sikenyi
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Assistant Director of the Ford Program, Sikenyi hails from Kenya and is an educational and international development scholar, practitioner, researcher, and leader. His research focuses on the intersections of education, armed conflict, and development in developing countries. More
Fr. Robert Dowd, CSC
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
18th President of the University of Notre Dame, Father Dowd is a professor of political science. Dowd’s research has focused on African politics, identity politics, and religion and politics. His research has also explored the effects of religious beliefs and institutions on the integration of migrants/refugees in Europe and the effects of faith-based schools on citizenship and civic engagement in Africa. He is the author of the book Christianity, Islam, and Liberal Democracy: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa. More
Khadijat Atere
PREDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Atere is a predoctoral research associate at the Ford Program. Her research focuses on education, sustainable development, and data-driven policy to generate evidence that informs practice and improves development outcomes. More
Undergraduate Student Research Assistants
Ada Austin is a junior, majoring in Business Analytics with double minors in Real Estate and Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation. On the social impact side, she previously served as a PATH teacher with the Alliance for Catholic Education Program, where she taught 8th-grade writing and Home Economics to students preparing for high school. In the business space, she has had the opportunity to consult with multiple organizations through various projects, including conducting market analyses for two nonprofit organizations over the summer. "I chose to join the Ford Program because I believe deeply in making a meaningful impact through one’s work. The Ford Program’s global approach to fostering human dignity and development aligns with my desire to contribute to positive change while building and refining my skills along the way."
Julia Connolly is a sophomore majoring in Global Affairs and minoring in Foundations of Business. Passionate about international development, law, and journalism, she has previously participated in service projects in rural Honduras and Panama that enhanced education access for elementary schoolers. On the policy side, she has interned in the Massachusetts State House and South Boston Municipal Court, which strengthened her knowledge of legislative processes. She hopes to expand her understanding of international development in the context of the Ford Program and its important work in poverty-stricken areas of the world. "I chose to join the Ford Program because I would like to give back to my global community in a meaningful way. Through its research rooted in integral human development, I hope to gain important experience in solidarity studies while also contributing to a greater cause."