Rebecca Webber Gaudiosi
Why did you choose Northwestern?
Northwestern just felt right, in terms of the academics, the atmosphere, the campus, and the other students - and especially the opportunities. I still know I made the right choice.
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience? What was it then and/or what it is now?
I worked on observing and understanding the mechanical properties of very soft plastic materials, mostly gels, and hydrogels, which might be used in either adhesive applications at a small scale or in biomedical applications, such as cartilage replacement.
Tell us who or what inspired your research and/or work.
An undergraduate mentor and professor, Dr. Linda Schadler, urged me to pursue my PhD, and helped me to see the world-changing potential of research. At Northwestern, I began to understand the vital importance of good scientific communication, international collaboration, and supportive policies for education and research.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
I am proud of the collaboration and communication I achieved in my hundreds of multilateral negotiations at the United Nations as a U.S. delegate. Because of my scientific background, I approached these debates analytically and as "problem-solving with friends." The outcomes were rarely earth-shattering, but they always represented an increased level of understanding and sometimes common action for the common good. While promoting national interests, I tried to also contribute to better outcomes for the world.
Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you.
With my co-authors ("Negotiating at the United Nations," Routledge 2019) I am developing an intensive series of negotiation training programs aimed at policymakers and those interested in having an impact through policy development and negotiation. All policy discussions are multi-party - or should be, to achieve the best results. This means that they look quite a bit like multilateral negotiations, so I believe this skill set will be essential at all levels of policy-making moving forward.
What advice would you give your younger self or someone considering a similar path?
I always tell students that there is no one "right" career path: Even when you have distinct career goals, there are now so many different ways to achieve them. I also believe it is important to be honest with yourself about priories and preferences; it's the best way to identify and respond to the best (best for you) opportunities when they emerge.