Driven by a vision to advance social justice and peacebuilding at home, Marissa Foster, a Chevening Scholar, is preparing to return to Guyana after completing her master’s degree at the University of Bradford, one of the world’s top-ranked institutions for Peace and Conflict Studies. Upon return, the scholar will step into the history books as Guyana’s first peace and social justice practitioner formally trained at the prestigious institution.
During the academic year in the United Kingdom, the scholar distinguished themselves not only through rigorous academic research, but through dynamic campus leadership, international diplomacy, and global cultural exchanges.
Upon arriving at the University of Bradford, the scholar noticed a period of inactivity within the Department of Peace and International Relations’ student Peace Society and engaged faculty to revive it. Nominated by peers and elected uncontested as President, Marissa transformed the society into a vibrant hub for student engagement. Under their leadership, the society hosted diverse initiatives, including “Peace & Football” workshops, eyewitness forums on global affairs, environmental sustainability programs, and an Essentials Care Drive supporting women in need.
In this role, Foster advocated for peers in academic and administrative assemblies and earned the University of Bradford Students’ Union Kickstart Level 3 Award, the highest recognition for student leaders’ exceptional effort and commitment.
Beyond the classroom, the scholar excelled in practical diplomatic scenarios, securing the Best Delegate Award at the university’s annual International Crisis Response and Diplomacy Game. Simulating a geopolitical crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and the Horn of Africa while representing the United States, they were voted top delegate by peers for their strategic wit, articulation, and commitment.
The scholar’s year was further marked by highly competitive global opportunities, viz:
- Northern Ireland Peace Mission: Selected as one of only 12 students university-wide for a study visit to Belfast and Derry, engaging with government, non-governmental, and academic figures to analyze the history and legacy of The Troubles.
- India Immersion Programme: During that period, she attended O.P. Jindal Global University on a two-week program focused on India’s progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The visit included high-level briefings with representatives from the Indian Government and the UNDP, alongside a meaningful personal opportunity to reconnect with ancestral roots.
The scholar also helped facilitate a collaborative visit between the British High Commission in Georgetown and the Guyana High Commission in London, bringing fellow Chevening Scholars together with foreign service officers to discuss national development and future contributions to Guyana.
Throughout these global engagements, travels across the UK and Europe, and frequent features on Chevening and university media channels, the scholar remained focused on national pride, ensuring the Golden Arrowhead was represented at every milestone.
With studies concluding, the scholar is currently dedicating their final research dissertation to analyzing the critical issue of femicide in Guyana. The research aims to provide actionable insights into gender-based violence, laying the groundwork for policy intervention and community-based peacebuilding upon their return.
