Congratulations to Sciences Po-Columbia Dual BA alumna Josephine O’Brien ‘26GS, who was recently named an inaugural Lafayette Fellow. The fellowship was founded in 2026 by the French Embassy of the United States on the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence to celebrate the French-American friendship. The fellowship provides funding for a year of master’s level study in France, which O’Brien will use to continue her academic passions she began at Sciences Po and GS.
O’Brien earned degrees in Medical Humanities and Political Humanities, and while at Columbia, developed an interest in the ethical, social, and cultural implications of emerging biotechnology. At Columbia, the Medical Humanities program pushed her to discover her interdisciplinary interest in policy and medicine. “I truly believe this program is one of the best parts of Columbia!” O’Brien reflected. ”With the close guidance of professors, I was able to design my own program of study, through which I discovered the topic that I'll continue to research during my graduate degree.” Her interests outside the classroom include gender policy, the Bulgarian language, and sexual health advocacy, She graduated with departmental honors this May.
As a Lafayette Fellow, O’Brien will attend ENS Lyon, pursuing a Master’s in Logic, History, and Philosophy of Science and Technology.“ENS Lyon is known for its interdisciplinary approach, so I'm excited to complement my studies with coursework in public health and internships at bioethical organizations so I can continue thinking about how theory can help us develop solutions to new problems.” She plans to conduct comparative research on French and American political and bioethical approaches to assisted reproductive technology. France itself poses a unique backdrop forO’Brien’s research as she will be examining the country’s standard “bioethics law.”
To learn more about the Lafayette Fellowship and O’Brien’s academic pursuits, please visit the Columbia URF website.
