Name: Alex Mull-Dreyer

Major/Year/School: Davidson College ‘18, major in Political Science and Gender & Sexuality Studies, Hispanic Studies Minor

Position: Research Intern

Past Internships: Summer Admissions Ambassador at Davidson College

What drew you to an internship at IWPR?

As a participant in my college’s Davidson in Washington summer program, I was looking to work at a progressive organization focused on research-based policy work. In classes I have taken, I used IWPR’s Status of Women in the States project as one of my core sources for political participation and mobilization data. After learning more about other work IWPR does, I knew that I would love to work in an office where passion turns into production and publication.

What research areas do you focus on?

At IWPR, I focus on gathering data on electoral voting patterns broken down by demographics like marital status, age group, and educational achievement. Additionally, I have prepared background research on international child care and paid family leave policies for a piece published by a staff researcher.

What has been the best part of interning at IWPR so far?

The best part of interning at IWPR has been the opportunity to gain so much knowledge about how the work of a nonprofit think tank truly affects policy change, from local municipalities all the way to the federal government. IWPR’s work is cited in articles from The Atlantic, Blavity, Slate, and more. In June, IWPR hosted “From Persistence to Power: Facts, Truth, and Equity for Women,” a conference with Wellesley and Spelman Colleges. At the event, I was able to hear amazing speakers like Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Alicia Garza, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and professional researchers and professors in the fields of gender studies, public policy, and economics. Through that day, I could see that what happens in the IWPR office on Connecticut Avenue affects people across the country.

Any advice for future IWPR interns?

Come in with a mindset that you may be asked to do things that you have a lot of background experience with as well as tasks where you have to learn the material and how to navigate the unfamiliar very quickly. At IWPR, it’s all hands on deck most of the time and staff are often eager for your help.

What are your future career interests?
I want to work on one of the 2018 midterm campaigns and eventually a campaign in 2020. I hope to be a community/political organizer, or a strategist of some sort. I am aiming for grad school or possibly law school.

Favorite lunch spot? I don’t want to sell my soul to corporations, but I love Cava and Chop’t so much. It’s so fast, easy, and absolutely delicious.

Favorite D.C. museum? The Newseum

Favorite podcast or reading material on your commute? Any of the Crooked Media podcasts (Pod Save the People, World, etc.)

What else do you like to do in your spare time?  I enjoy running on the Rock Creek trails or Mount Vernon along the Potomac. I can sit and talk politics pretty much all day and bring any conversation back to politics (for better or worse). Hanging out with any dog is always a plus.

Stay tuned throughout the summer as we highlight other IWPR interns and learn more about IWPR’s internship program here.