This post was written by Hatchet reporter Daniella Olonilua.

A year into his position as dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs, Reuben Brigety spoke with students, alumni, and faculty members at the school Thursday evening about the standing of the school and its future direction.

Brigety spoke about initiatives that the school launched this past year as well as alumni and faculty accomplishments. He also discussed future events and programs that the school will be hosting to enhance student learning outside of the classroom.

Here are some of the highlights from the dean’s talk:

1. Faculty task force on ethics

A new faculty task force will work to focus the curriculum of the international affairs program in relation to ethics, Brigety said. The task force, led by Christopher Kojm, an endowed professor of international affairs, will work alongside the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs.

There will also be a Courage in Action speaker series that will feature officials working in the fields of ethics and international Affairs, Brigety added.

“These speakers can tell our students the importance of ethics and the importance of courage, lived courage, in their practice of international affairs,” Brigety said.

2. Faculty accomplishments

Brigety said faculty at the Elliott School continue to be pioneers in top research on global issues. Last year, these faculty members were awarded more than $11 million in grants, a more than 300 percent increase since 2012, he said.

“Our faculty are the foundation of our programs and they create the groundwork for our educational process,” Brigety said.

Marc Lynch, a professor of political science and international affairs, was named a Carnegie fellow for his research on the Middle East, Brigety added.

3. New initiatives

Brigety also announced two new initiatives to expand global outreach and policy at the school.

The first is a program on international disaster resilience and humanitarian affairs, a $25 million research project that will expand course offerings and student opportunities on those topics, Brigety said.

The second is an initiative on gender equality in international affairs, which will supersede the school’s previous gender program, he said. Brigety said it will be led by Aisling Swaine, the director of the Center on Gender Equality in International Affairs in the school, and will allow students and faculty to work on a more comprehensive approach to gender equality in international affairs.

“We at the Elliott School provide the next young generation of leaders with the tools they need to be the most diverse, the most abled, the most adaptable, the most ready, to embrace change,” Brigety said.