Project title: How and why nation states use sports as a political and cultural lever: Saudi Arabia as a case study
Project description: Since the Olympics began in Ancient Greece, sports have served not just to shape culture and create an intense sense of nationalism but as a lever of soft power in international geopolitics. Recently, Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman have leveraged its dramatic economic boom to become the face of sports, both domestically and internationally. My project uses Saudi Arabia to examine how countries use sports as both a political and cultural tool to influence and sway populations and perception. The research focus will shift and expand as Saudi continues to inflate its sports portfolio, including the World Cup in 2034, and potentially, the Women’s Tennis Association finals.
Most Important Accomplishment: Working for the New York Islanders as they opened UBS Arena.
Reflections on the College Scholar Program: The College Scholar Program has allowed me to pursue the interdisciplinary passions that I discovered during my gap year between high school and college. I am able to independently research questions in sports, politics, and culture, an opportunity that would not be possible otherwise.