Editor’s Welcome (2026-2027)

Dear Readers,

I am honored to introduce myself as the sixth and current Editor-in-Chief of the Pardee Atlas Journal of Global Affairs. My name is Ellie Stout, and I am a second-year MAIA student specializing in Security Studies. I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Jack Whitten, for his previous leadership of the Atlas. While he left big shoes to fill, I am so excited to see how this journal continues to grow over the next year. 

To say we are living in unprecedented times would be an understatement. It seems like every day there is a new disaster, another tragedy–one more horrific headline we glance at between work and classes before moving on with our day. In the present era of artificial intelligence and social media, I truly believe that storytelling is more important than ever. Stories connect us, humanize us. 

In this institute of higher education, what you have to say matters. Whether that’s a research paper, a policy memo, an opinion piece, or even a poem, I urge you to use your voice. Words hold power; an accurate representation of history holds power. You hold power. 

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Atlas this year. We have lots of exciting things planned that I can’t wait to share with you, and you might have already noticed that a few things are different. You will also be hearing more from us, the editors, as we work to expand the journal and further incorporate different kinds of work. 

The Atlas is for our community, by our community. Whether you are a writer, a reader, or just someone who cares about current issues, you have a role here. We are currently accepting new submissions, and I want to encourage anyone who has considered publishing with us. We all have something worth saying. 

“It might not be easy to change the reality, but at least I could bring their voice to the world.” -Shireen Abu Akleh

Sincerely,
Ellie Stout