Sara Pan Algarra

Sara Pan Algarra - Global Challenges Scholar

Sara will be pursuing a Ph.D. in International and Comparative Education at Columbia University in September 2022 as a Doctoral Fellow.

Sara recently completed the MA in Global Challenges: Law, Policy, and Practice at the School of Law of Swansea University with the highest distinction. Her thesis looked at the impact of climate change-related displacement and migration on girls’ access to education in Guatemala and Honduras. She most recently pursued this area of inquiry with UNICEF UK and has been working as part of Child Rights Connect's Legal Team in Switzerland. Child Rights Connect is the largest network of non-governmental organizations dedicated to children’s rights.

Sara graduated Summa Cum Laude from New York University (Abu Dhabi campus) with a double major (BA) in Social Research and Public Policy, and Theatre, and a specialization in Political Science.

She holds related professional experiences in Switzerland, Ecuador, Venezuela, Canada, India, Italy, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

She was elected Youth Mayor of the Chacao Municipality in Venezuela working in local youth governance between 2010 and 2014. She also studied at the United World College of India and is a Dalai Lama Fellow from the University of Virginia.

Educational and Career Background

• Doctoral Fellow, Columbia University. PhD in International and Comparative Education (2022 – 2026)
• Hillary Rodham Clinton Global Challenges Scholar (Highest Honors), Swansea University. MA in Global Challenges: Law, Policy, and Practice (2021 – 2022)
• First class Honors bachelor’s in Social Research and Public Policy and Theatre, with a specialization in Political Science, New York University (Abu Dhabi campus) (2016 – 2020)
• International education: Sara studied for two semesters in London and New York City respectively, taking classes on Education Policy at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and on European politics in NYU London. She also did an intensive course on identity politics in NYU Sydney.
• International Baccalaureate (Highest Honors), United World College of India (UWC India) (2014 – 2016)

Areas of Expertise

Sara's recent research includes:

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Venezuelan migrants in Ecuador, evaluating patterns of return migration through a qualitative study.
• The transition to online teaching and learning in Ecuador, due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
• How the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Climate Crisis and COVID-19 pandemic may require updates on public policy curriculums in Asia.

Her previous research includes:

• Assessing Motivators and Barriers to Intercollegiate Sports among Women Athletes: The UAE Case (2018), Co-Author.
• Music Concerts: Cultural Consumption among NYUAD Students in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (2019), Author.
• Female Sexual Violence and jus post bellum in the Rwandan Genocide (2017), Author.

Ambitions and Hopes for the Future

Upon graduating from Swansea University, Sara will be pursuing a PhD in International and Comparative Education as a Doctoral Fellow at Columbia University.