Summer Fellow Interview: Tori Amy Douglas

By Doruntina Zeneli

Tori is a rising senior at Boston University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy. She has previously worked for WaterFront Center in New York, where she worked with children to teach them the importance of environmental conservation. She interned at Environment America, where she worked on a campaign focused on committing college campuses to transitioning to renewable energy. More recently, Tori interned for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, a government agency that investigates discrimination complaints related to employment, housing, and other sectors. This past semester, she has been interning for MLM Strategies and the Novus Group, a campaign consulting firm where she has worked with clients on campaign compliance and fundraising. She will be a fellow for the City of Manchester this summer. 

Why did you choose to apply for this fellowship and how did you hear about it? 

I first heard about this opportunity from a few of my professors this semester! I had always wanted the opportunity to spend time abroad while in college, but the traditional route didn’t seem appealing to me. I didn’t want to take classes abroad, so the opportunity to work in a professional setting in the U.K. seemed like the perfect fit for me!

What do you hope to accomplish or gain from the fellowship this summer?

Through this fellowship, I hope to further my understanding of the issues faced by urban communities through an international perspective. In particular, I’m excited to gain first-hand experience with city government on the issue of homelessness. Manchester has experienced a rapid increase in its number of displaced individuals, and I hope to work on some projects that may have a real impact on the lives of Manchester residents. 

How did you first become interested in economic policy and research?

Policy and economics are deeply linked together, and both provide narratives on how problems faced by urban communities have taken hold and how to solve these problems. My interest in economics therefore rests in my passion for political research and problem solving!

What would you tell other students if they were considering applying for the fellowship?

Be patient and do your research! Committing to go overseas alone for two months isn’t something to take lightly. Think about your own personality and whether this is something that suits your lifestyle!