Meet the Graduates 2023: Anaïs Fiault

A young graduate in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action from Sciences Po, Anaïs Fiault tells us about her journey towards gender studies and her obtention of the Advanced Certification in Gender Studies.

How did you come to gender studies?

I started developing a strong interest in gender studies just before coming to Sciences Po. In 2019, I was working as a volunteer in an emergency reception shelter for homeless women in Paris. There, I was struck by the stories of the women I encountered. I heard about violence and injustice, but also courage and resilience. During my first master’s degree in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), I took a class called on gender and political violence to start gaining more theoretical insights into these issues. The next summer, I interned with a London-based NGO working on women's socio-economic development and empowerment in Francophone Africa. Learning about gender both in practice and theory has been a transformative experience. Coming to Sciences Po, it was only natural for me to continue that path by pursuing the Advanced Certification in Gender Studies: I wished to take advantage of my time at Sciences Po to deepen my knowledge of gender issues on topics I was passionate about and acquire more tools to deconstruct harmful gender stereotypes on the ground. Obtaining this Certification was also a great way to attest to my academic expertise and commitment towards gender equality, which is helpful to pursue a career in this field.

What has been your best experience in this field?

The cooperative project I was involved in this past year was the most exciting and unique experience I had during my time at Sciences Po! The project was conducted in partnership with Sciences Po’s Gender Studies Programme PRESAGE and an American NGO called Women Forward International. Alongside four other students, I conducted a field study on Ukrainian craftswomen refugees in Europe. We travelled across France, Poland, and Germany to interview women and learn about their experiences. We were able to meet women in their creative and community spaces and learned how to conduct gender-sensitive interviews. This study allowed me to explore the differential impact of war on women and to what extent experiences of war and displacement can be transformative for gender equality. I was thus able to incorporate the theoretical background I had acquired during these last years into our field research. More importantly, being able to give these women a voice felt like a meaningful step towards supporting female empowerment in times of hardship.

Do you have any advice for future cohorts?

Take advantage of your studies at Sciences Po to explore all the wonderful resources and opportunities the school has to offer: there are so many ways to build your CV and prepare your career plan beyond classes, including when it comes to gender. In my case, participating in a cooperative project was immensely helpful.

What is next for you?

I will be starting a position as Researcher for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Parliamentary Assembly next September. I hope to work closely with its Committee on Democracy and Security on a report related to sexual and gender-based violence in conflict in Ukraine. In the last decades, NATO has sought to integrate the Women Peace and Security Agenda into its policy. Accordingly, I hope to be able to use the expertise I have acquired throughout my studies to help mainstream gender into all Parliamentary Assembly reports and recommendations. I will remain deeply committed to gender equality as a practitioner wherever my career takes me.

More

• The Advanced Certification in Gender Studies is open to all students in a second year of master programme at Sciences Po
• At the Sciences Po Undergraduate College, Bachelor students can apply for the Certification in Gender and Equality
• The Master in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action at the Sciences Po School of International Affairs