Yosef Bukhari, M.A. ’23, a graduate of the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, has been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, considered one of the world's highest academic honors. He will attend the University of Oxford in England in fall 2024.
Bukhari, who said he felt excitement and some disbelief upon learning of his selection, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in international relations, focusing his research on nuclear deterrence.
"I began to imagine myself as a Rhodes Scholar—as already a part of the community,” he said. “So, I definitely began to feel excitement at the realization that I did not need to imagine that anymore."
Bukhari hopes his research at Oxford will contribute even small steps toward nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. "I aim to answer the question of what size and type of nuclear arsenal is sufficient to deter," Bukhari said.
Bukhari credits GW and the Elliott School faculty for support during the highly competitive application process. He advises current students to utilize available resources like the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research (CUFR) and the Office of Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships (OGASF) for assistance with applications to many fellowship and research opportunities like the Rhodes Scholarship.
CUFR serves all GW undergraduates and alumni pursuing intellectual development through scholarship, fellowship competitions and undergraduate and postgraduate research participation. OGASF does the same for graduate students.
“Dr. Jacob English at the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research, Dr. Lakeisha Harrison, the assistant dean for Student Services, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Elliott School and Joshua Lissauer and Meg Wurm in Graduate Student Services at the Elliott School have all supported me in my application,” he said. “In short, be sure to contact the relevant resources and your professors. GW and the Elliott School are well-equipped to support you." Alyssa Ayres, dean of the Elliott School, said the university is proud of Bukhari's achievement.
"We are all so thrilled that Yosef has received the distinction of a Rhodes Scholarship,” Ayres said. “It is a testament to his hard work and his leadership qualities. I have no doubt that Yosef will go on to excel in his work on nuclear deterrence. This honor not only reflects his abilities, but it also brings immense pride to the Elliott School and the faculty and advisors who assisted him."
The Rhodes Scholarship provides all educational and living expenses for two to three years of postgraduate study at Oxford. Scholars are chosen based on outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to "fighting the world's fight" through potential social impact.Yosef is an excellent student and was always insightful in my Transnational Security class,” said Rollie Lal, an associate professor of international affairs. “He is a model Elliott graduate, and I am so glad that he will represent us through the Rhodes Scholarship in the future.”
After his Oxford studies, Bukhari plans to return to Saudi Arabia to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, striving for nonproliferation in the Middle East.
