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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marshall-aid-commemoration-commission-sixty-eighth-annual-report-2022/marshall-aid-commemoration-commission-sixty-eighth-annual-report-2022
The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission’s report to Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Pursuant to Section 2(6) of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Act 1953, we have the honour to submit the report of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission for the year ending 30 September 2021.
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated.
To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
©Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission copyright 2022
This publication is available at www.gov.uk/official-documents.
Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at macc@acu.ac.uk.
ISBN: 978-1-5286-3585-1 E02769239
This is my first annual report having taken over from Christopher Fisher as Chair of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) in February 2021. I am grateful to Chris and fellow Commissioners and the Marshall team at the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) for their work for the MACC, for making me feel welcome and for their dedicated work during a difficult period.
Throughout the reporting year, COVID-19 continued to dominate both the Scholar Experience and the work of the MACC. Although we were obliged to change the timings and formats of events in the annual calendar, the MACC nonetheless maintained the business cycle and Scholars managed both to distinguish themselves academically and deepen their connection to the UK. Some Scholars studying public health took advantage of COVID-19 to observe the NHS in action during a pandemic.
At the start of the academic year, we were obliged to delay the traditional Orientation Programme from September until an easing of restrictions for the class of 2021 allowed us to hold it in person in October 2021. This was a welcome opportunity for the Class of 2021 to meet their peers in the Marshall Connect Programme which matches civil servants on the Fast Stream scheme and Marshall Scholars to form a ‘buddy’ style of relationship during the Scholars’ first year of study in the UK.
Scholars were impacted by challenges to their health from COVID-19 infections and all were affected by the mental health challenges of sustained isolation. Whilst the MACC and the ACU cannot address all the wellbeing requirements of Scholars, we sought to supplement the assistance provided by their host universities and colleges. We continued to fund the Togetherall and Health Assured services which enabled Scholars to access peer-to-peer support networks, advice and counselling sessions.
To help deal with isolation we worked with the Scholars to move Marshall activities online. The innovation of Marshall Hangouts was particularly successful enabling Scholars to gather online to join a discussion led by a guest speaker. Scholars made their own proposals for online events which we were happy to fund including cooking classes and book readings. The Scholar Circles initiative, an important channel of communication, also continued online.
As restrictions lifted, we were delighted to hold the annual Leavers’ Dinner in person at Ironmongers’ Hall in the City of London in July. It was a memorable event both for its celebratory atmosphere and because many Scholars, Commissioners and members of the wider Marshall community were able to meet, in many cases, for the first time. Some scholars extended the reunion for a longer period by departing the same night to Glasgow on a visit funded by the Summer Travel Grant scheme.
The reports from departing Scholars to the Commission were an inspiring record of Scholars’ achievements and activities. Despite the restrictions of COVID-19 the quality of Scholars’ academic performance remained high with many individuals eliciting glowing appreciations from their academic institutions. The reports also showed the remarkable resilience and initiative of the Scholars in making the most of their time here during the height of the pandemic and in forging what we hope will be a life-long relationship with the UK.
The MACC too was successful in pursuing its work programme despite the disruption. Our meetings continued largely online and, thanks to the hard work of the Selection Committees in the US and our support in the ACU, we were able to conclude the recruitment of the 46 Scholars who formed the Class of 2022. The class is noteworthy both for the difficult circumstances in which it was selected and as the first Class in which more than half (52%) are from minority backgrounds.
This welcome figure represents the result of sustained work over many years to improve our outreach and selection. But there is more to do. The growing diversity of the Marshall Scholars has brought new challenges, many of which surfaced during the year though exchanges with Scholars and as a result of the helpful, independent review from Business in the Community (BITC) on diversity and inclusion which we commissioned in 2020 after the representations made by Scholars following the killing of George Floyd. While Scholars are universally appreciative of their Scholarships, they are also clear about the challenges which Scholars from minority ethnic backgrounds face in the UK. A focus for our work in the coming years will be to meet the needs of a more diverse body of Scholars and to ensure that the quality of the Scholar experience is maintained as we broaden our outreach and inclusion.
On this and on all our challenges we worked closely with the Association of Marshall Scholars (AMS). The AMS has continued to be generous in its support of Marshall Scholars by paying the “Marshall Xtra” grant of £1,000 per scholar to each of the 94 enrolled Marshall Scholars in 2021. This grant, intended to enrich each Scholar’s time in the UK, has been a very welcome supplement to the stipend and continued to keep the Marshall package competitive with other awards.
This year saw the publication of the Marshall Scholarship Impact Report: A special scholarship for a special relationship, a remarkable document which I heartily commend. It demonstrates vividly the leading contribution which Marshalls have made over 70 years and across a wide variety of professions to their own country, the UK and to the world. As further evidence of their contribution it was notable that in the new US Administration of President Biden, many senior positions were occupied by Marshall Alumni.
I am grateful for the continuing support of the FCDO, Ministers, our partner universities and colleges, private donors and the ACU. Their engagement and commitment to the programme during challenging times has been deeply appreciated both by Scholars and the Commission.
The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1953 in order to express gratitude to the American people for the post-war support and assistance conceived by Secretary of State George C Marshall, subsequently known as the Marshall Plan. The Parliamentary Act created postgraduate Scholarships in the United Kingdom for American students with the potential to excel in their chosen fields of study and future careers. As alumni of British Universities and as members of the community during their stay in Britain, Marshall Scholars create lasting bridges between the United States and the United Kingdom and become advocates for greater depth and breadth of interaction, co-operation and mutual understanding between the two countries. Scholars also participate in activities which make them effective spokespeople for the best in British society and education and, once they have completed their studies, continue to support the furtherance of international co-operation in the spirit of the Marshall Plan.
Each year up to 50 Marshall Scholarships are awarded, thus providing continuing recognition for the generosity of the past while supporting the promise of the future. This unique testament plays a valuable role in developing a constituency for Britain in the United States of America.
The programme is largely funded by HM Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) alongside partnerships with British universities and others and is administered in Britain by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, with the support of the British Embassy in Washington DC, and the Consulates-General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. HRH The Prince of Wales is Honorary Patron of the Association of Marshall Scholars.
In 2020/21 regular business meetings of the Commission were held on 14 October, 21 January, 23 March, and 24 June. The Commission’s Scholar Experience Committee (SEC), Education, and Audit and Risk Management (ARM) Committees also met on several occasions. The Ambassador’s Advisory Council met in Washington on 7 December 2020.
As of September 2021, Commission members are as follows and their further details can be found at the end of this Report (page 33) including a note of their membership of the Education, ARM and SEC Committees.
Mr John Raine CMG OBE; (Chair) Mr Alan Bookbinder Professor; Judith Buchanan; Mr Adrian Greer; Mrs Suzanne McCarthy; Professor Adam Smith; Dr Leslie Vinjamuri; Ms Xenia Wickett; Lord Wood of Anfield.
Commissioners are publicly appointed and are unpaid. The Alumni Observers on the Commission are Professor Frances Brodsky; Professor Jonathan Erichsen.
In addition, full details of the membership of the Ambassador’s Advisory Council and of the Regional Selection Committees, as of the date of the selection interviews for the 2021 awards, are given on page 34 of this report.
At the start of the academic year 2020/2021, 93 Marshall Scholars were in residence at British universities. This number was made up of 5 2018 Scholars, four of whom were completing a third year (the fifth resigned her award in December 2020); 42 2019 Scholars out of an original class of 48, (of these one resigned her award in December 2020, and one suspended her award in January 2021) and another 46 Scholars who had taken up their awards in 2020. Three of the 2020 Scholars held the one-year Marshall Scholarship.
26 Marshall Scholars were fully funded by the Commission, 1 was fully funded and 3 partly funded by external partners and 63 supported to varying degrees under partnership arrangements with UK academic institutions as set out below:
*funded by an alumni donation.
**partially funded by an alumni donation
***Two students resigned in December 2020
The fully funded external partner Scholarship was provided by the Association of Marshall Scholars AMS. Three partially funded Scholarships were funded by the Annenberg Foundation, the British Schools and Universities Foundation (BSUF) and the AMS and two were partially funded by the AMS through alumni donations. It should be noted that as part of the 93, nine Scholars, who were members of the US Military, only received 50% of the stipend as agreed with the US Military.
The Commission remains focused on increasing third party support, particularly for the core Scholarships Programme. This enables more awards to be made than would otherwise be the case. In 2020/21 overall third-party support grew by £265,000 to £1,491,000. In addition, the Marshall Sherfield Fellow was supported by private funds from the Marshall Sherfield Fellowship Foundation.
41 Scholars pursued courses in Science and Engineering, including Mathematics, and 52 in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Creative/ Performing Arts. The percentage of Scholars undertaking Science and Engineering Subjects has increased from last year.
This breadth of subjects chosen by the Scholars enriches the programme and meets the Commission’s objective to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences and the creative arts at Britain’s centres of academic excellence.
As future leaders the Scholars are studying programmes in Climate Change, Cyber Security, International Human Rights and Practice and Public Health as well undertaking cutting edge research in subjects including Clinical Medicine, Neuroscience and Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. The Scholars studying these subjects alongside the mathematicians, musicians, historians, and artists create a cohort of Scholars who work together to understand the issues the world faces today and will go on to influence the way these issues are dealt with in the future.
Science and Engineering, including Mathematics: 41
Humanities, Social Sciences and Creative/ Performing Arts : 52
47 Scholars completed tenure of their awards in 2021. Of these, nine had graduated at the time of completion. The remaining Scholars, who registered for Doctorates or research/taught Master’s programmes, will complete the requirements for their degrees in the coming months.
The examination results of 52 Scholars were received during the year - the results for 17 Scholars from the 2005 - 2017 classes were collected. In addition, 26 results were collected from the 2018 class and nine results from the 2019 class. Nine of these obtained Doctorates, the rest obtained Master’s degrees. The names of all Scholars on whom degrees were conferred during 2021/2021 or for whom the Commission received results, are listed at the end of this Reports (Page 37).
Five Scholars were granted an extension for a third year of their tenure in 2021/22, two under the Oxford Marshall Scholarship and three under the Cambridge Marshall PhD Scholarship.
Prior to winning a Marshall scholarship, I had only worked entry-level jobs in education and non-profits in New York City. But when I submitted my application to the Marshall, I resolved to challenge myself to chase my ultimate professional ambition of being a young, progressive leader in international relations (IR).
I received my BA with honors from CUNY Hunter College in 2017 in Political Science and Philosophy. I had participated in various other fellowships and scholarships in undergrad, but I knew that the Marshall would be a highly unique opportunity to realize my loftiest professional and academic ambitions. Though looking back now, it’s clear that this scholarship is equal parts professionally and personally enriching to its lucky recipients.
I began an MPhil in Comparative Government at Oxford University in the fall of 2019 at Somerville College. My studies focused on the impact of American democracy promotion efforts in Egypt during the Arab Spring. My thesis was situated in a diverse and growing academic discourse about the United States and 20th century imperial conquest, the rise of autocratic powers in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region and beyond, and the declining influence and credibility of “the West.” Oxford provided me an incredible opportunity to witness and participate in inspiring, world class political science research.
After developing deep friendships within the 2019 class, I traveled to Norwich, Cambridge, Glasgow, and Edinburgh with other Marshalls. As a big art and film buff, other Marshalls and I enjoyed BFI screenings, new exhibits at the Tate Modern and Ashmolean, and the occasional West End musical. In Oxford, I regularly gardened with other Marshalls on a communal allotment and we were happy to cook what was harvested.
The Marshall experience provided other critical opportunities to sit at the heart of the UK foreign policy establishment by going to FCDO events, receiving a Fast Streamer mentor, and enjoying the broad connections between the Marshall Commission and the political heavy weights of American and British international affairs. The final highlight of my Marshall experience was delivering the valedictory speech at Leavers’ Dinner; a very special night after our class was scattered for a year and a half due to the then novel-Coronavirus.
I received a distinction on both my thesis and degree overall before getting accepted to the DPhil program in International Relations at Oxford. I ultimately decided to delay my plans to pursue a PhD after being offered a prestigious Leland Foundation Association of Marshall Scholars Transatlantic Academy Fellowship at Chatham House. The Marshall was excellent preparation for this fellowship, and I look forward to welcoming future Marshall fellows at Chatham.
In the five months since beginning the fellowship, I have: published articles in The World Today and World Politics Review; moderated panel discussions on MENA politics and international refugee policy; and participated in workshops on decolonizing IR and the future of US-Latin American relations. These House activities buttress my independent research project, which focuses on the complex relationship between America’s domestic democratic turmoil and its global credibility.
I cannot overstate the significance of the Marshall Scholarship to my personal and academic development. I plan to stay in the UK to work and study, having fallen in love with England over the past two years. The Marshall is a tremendous gift. I am so grateful to have received it.
I am from Littleton, Colorado. I did my undergrad at Bates College in Maine, where I studied history and philosophy. I wrote my thesis on nascent property regimes for intangible things, in particular, the ocean, and the effects of such regimes on empire building and legal development in 17th-Century Iberia, England, and the Dutch Republic. I was also a competitive debater for Bates. After Bates, I went to law school at UChicago, where I became interested in data protection and issues of transnational data trade (another area of property law in intangibles). I applied for Marshall because I realized that in order to be a field leader in data protection in the U.S., I had to have an understanding of U.K. and EU law as well as a technical understanding of privacy systems. I was ecstatic to receive a spot at my first-choice institution, Oxford University’s Internet Institute.
While at the OII, I, among other things, wrote papers on why the system of federalism in the United States may be welfare enhancing but still holding back national privacy legislation, presented on blockchain technology’s possible effect on electoral security at several conferences, and wrote a masters thesis on why preference based algorithms cannot be considered coercive conceptually but nevertheless negatively affect users’ perceptions of individual autonomy in digital space. I also played basketball for Oxford and rowed for Balliol College, where I captained the second boat.
My experiences at the OII convinced me to apply for the D.Phil. program in the department. I currently am a D.Phil. student on leave while I finish my last year of American law school. I plan to take the bar exam in the U.S. in July and then return to Oxford for one final year to finish my dissertation, which concerns comparative data protection law and regulation.
I chose the U.K. because of its unique position in cross-border data trade and privacy law—somewhere between the common law system it shares with the U.S. and the EU-based Brussels consensus embodied in GDPR. I found it very rewarding to be able to converse with OII professors with knowledge of all three systems and U.K. civil servants, in particular at the ICO, who dealt with these issues every day. But what I got out of the experience was so much more than just intellectual stimulation or professional connections: I made deep and lasting friendships, met someone I consider a long-term partner, and, most importantly, came away with a strong affection for Cornish pasty and vinegar on chips. Still, what I appreciated most was the freedom of the U.K. higher education system. Nobody told me what to read or where to go or how to navigate the syllabus but my advisor was always there if I had questions or needed advice; in short, I appreciated that there was a commitment to quality work without the fuss. There was, about the whole process, a quiet, understated sense of workmanship that I’ve come to understand is uniquely British. I’m very lucky to have been a part of that.
Prior to my Marshall Scholarship, I studied at UT Austin where I majored in Economics, Health & Society, and Liberal Arts. As an undergraduate, I worked in journalism and wrote primarily about public health systems and lack of access to reproductive healthcare. I was writing about issues I had seen firsthand — lack of community resources, restrictive health policies, and a health financing system that undercut access for so many. Working on these issues in both clinical and journalistic contexts fueled my commitment to health policy work, and motivated me to want to experience other healthcare systems’ perspectives on these issues.
I began my studies as a Marshall Scholar at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, where I studied for a Master’s in Public Health. My work focused on policy barriers to health, with my dissertation work especially focusing on the need for multilevel cooperation for infectious disease responses. Between John Snow lecture hall sessions on epidemiology and biostatistics, I caught hallway conversations with classmates from around the world, who worked as doctors, nurses, policymakers, and researchers. Outside of Keppel Street’s classrooms, I spent lunch hours exploring Bloomsbury coffee shops, and weekends hiking in Sussex or attending London art openings near with fellow Marshalls. My time in London expanded my view of what was possible in health advocacy, and introduced me to incredibly talented and kind people, and expanded my perspective on the world and of my field.
Then came COVID-19, and like all other aspects of life my experience in the UK took on an intensive transformation. Still completing my MPH, my academic work on pandemic policy was suddenly catapulted from theory to practice. I began working with a LSHTM professor directly on the UK’s response to COVID-19 misinformation, and helped to run a thousands-strong open-access course on the still-unfolding pandemic. As I transitioned to Oxford to begin my second program in Global Governance and Diplomacy, I took on a role on the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker, a multinational project dedicated to recording COVID-19 policies and identifying trends for use in policymaking decisions, and then additionally joined a consultancy position with the UN.
My Zoom filled days in this period ranged from 8am calls to partners in Chinese universities, consulting meetings with the WHO, and evening calls back to Texas to discuss county-level responses. These were spaces I would not have had access to were it not for my experience on the Marshall, and the training that had prepared me to contribute even in this small way to the pandemic response. And as in all aspects of the Marshall, it was the people that made the experience so positive. My colleagues were caring and passionate, my classmates dedicated to making community far away from home, and of course my Marshall friendships were inspiring and sustaining — whether through postcards, housemate movie nights, or dozens of socially-distanced coffee walks, we found ways to connect.
I have since left the UK and am now attending Yale Law School, where I am currently working on a variety of projects related to healthcare access, reproductive justice, and the governance of the COVID-19 response. I would not be doing this work if it were not for the Marshall, and the invaluable experiences I had in the UK. It was a whirlwind two years, and I am grateful for the opportunity that I have had, and hope that the Marshall continues to extend and expand access to such incredible opportunities.
As an undergraduate at Princeton University, I studied theoretical physics, with a minor in applied mathematics and creative poetry. At the time, my published work focused on the fundamental mystery of dark matter on galactic scales, but over the course of my final year and the start of my Marshall scholarship, I became increasingly interested in quantum states of matter.
Pursuing the thread of emergence that connects Planck’s constant and individual electrons to real materials, I took a bevy of courses in quantum matter, topological materials, and quantum field theory as part of my MSc degree at Oxford. I published three papers on novel electronic phases in condensed matter physics — concurrent with my masters program — and felt very confident that this shift in direction played to my strengths and towards the bleeding edge of quantum materials research. Beyond the formal education provided by the Marshall, it was the time to reflect and expand the scope of my work that truly defined my time in the UK. I applied to PhD programs in the US and deferred an offer to return to Princeton, where I am currently a graduate student.
I changed my second-year degree from a cosmology masters at the University of Nottingham to an MPhil by research in quantum manybody physics at the University of Cambridge. There I published two papers with my advisor Professor Austen Lamacraft on problems inspired by quantum computers. This work opened a new technical area of physics for me, that of one-dimensional integrable quantum systems, and also exposed me to state-of-the-art technological platforms, like Google’s 53 qubit Sycamore processor. Although I didn’t know Professor Lamacraft when I applied for the Marshall, I believed that studying physics in the UK would give me the exposure to new problems that is crucial to a developing research and the time to seriously pursue them — no matter where I ended up. I was right.
I have gotten off to an extremely fast start in my PhD thanks to my productive years in the UK and the insight of the many friends I made there. I also fenced on the Cambridge epee team and led my squad to victory over Oxford at the varsity match. All in all, a very fun year. I have already returned once to the UK and expect I will do so frequently in the future.
Prior to starting as the 2019 Marshall Sherfield fellow, I completed my PhD in Environmental Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I also hold BS and MS degrees in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, am a returned Fulbright Fellow, and have professional experience working as an environmental health scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
I chose to complete my Marshall Sherfield fellowship at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) for several reasons. LSHTM is one of the best schools of public health in the world and offered the opportunity to connect with and learn from research leaders in my field. Further, I had established collaborative ties with a multidisciplinary research group at LSHTM during my PhD work. I wanted to strengthen this relationship while developing my own research niche to complement the group’s ongoing work. In short, I saw the future of my career at LSHTM.
My primary research interests lie at the intersection of public health, microbiology, and environmental engineering. More specifically, I am interested in studying the environmental transmission of enteric pathogens in vulnerable populations. To do this, I use cuttingedge molecular and serological tools to characterise pathways of infection and to evaluate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions that aim to interrupt transmission. While at LSHTM, I had the opportunity to broaden my portfolio of work, leading microbiological analyses for several WASH-focused research studies, and to contribute to initiatives such as the recently announced Lancet Commission on WASH and Health. I also leveraged the opportunity provided by the fellowship to pursue a new research avenue: the use of pathogen-specific antibody response to measure enteric disease transmission.
I’m happy to report that as my Marshall Sherfield fellowship ended, I transitioned into a position as an Assistant Professor at LSHTM. My very first PhD student started in January 2022, and I’m looking forward to bright and productive future in London.
Scholar’s rating overall experience in the UK: 94% rated overall experience excellent or good.
I felt as though the arrangements for my study at the University of York went very smoothly. There was good communication between myself, my advisor, and [the Marshall team] regarding the process and any steps that I needed to take.
I LOVED Sheffield! I am going back one last time before I leave the UK to run my old running trails one more time. I learned so much about 3D printing and also had an incredible time exploring all of the green space in the city during the pandemic. Sheffield will always have a special place in my heart.
I have really enjoyed my stay. My involvement in student organizations in London and with my academic cohort in Cambridge really were highlights of my experience. Finding ways to get engaged in the university or city make a large difference in enjoying the experience!
I loved my time in the UK and have developed a great fondness towards it through my Marshall experiences.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know the UK a bit better and have the opportunity to pursue my dream academic work at some of the best institutions in the world.
I appreciated the consistently prompt replies to emails and reimbursement claim forms. The Scholarship staff did an amazing job responding to the pandemic – offering flights home and back on short notice.
Changing guidance, regional restrictions and national lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic impacted on the in-person Marshall events. Where possible, virtual events were put in place to replace the in-person events.
The 2020 Orientation programmes led by the British Embassy in the USA and the Marshall Office in the UK were held virtually. The programmes are outlined below.
Scholars arrived individually and with enough time to allow them to quarantine for 14 days before the start of their course. Flights were arranged and taxis were booked to pick up Scholars at the airport.
The Commission postponed its annual leavers’ dinner from May 2021 to July 2021 to comply with government guidance. The dinner was held at Ironmonger’s Hall on the 21st of July and was the only in-person event that took place. The Scholars’ speech was delivered by Gabriella Cook Francis, 2019 Scholar.
Marshall Connect is a collaboration between the Civil Service Fast Stream and the Marshall Programme. It involves Civil Servants on the Fast Stream scheme and Marshall Scholars forming a ‘buddy’ style of relationship during the Scholars’ first year of study in the UK.
The purpose of the Marshall Connect programme is to:
These activities are intended to support the overall Commission’s aim of strengthening the enduring relationship between British and American peoples.
Due to the Covid Pandemic all planned in-person events had to be cancelled. The Marshall Commission arranged a series of virtual Marshall Hangouts which were held weekly from November 2020 to August 2021. The sessions are listed below and recordings of the sessions can be accessed on the Marshall website.
The Commission co-ordinates social media campaigns through its own Twitter feed alongside the AMS and British Embassy feeds.
@MarshallScholar is the Commission’s Twitter account - used to tweet content on current Marshall Scholars.
@MarshallAlums is the Association of Marshall Scholars’ Twitter account. #ImAMarshall features snapshots of Marshall Alumni in the news and complements Embassy and MACC outputs.
@UKinUSA is the Embassy’s twitter account and is used, amongst other things, to promote Marshall Scholarships. The Embassy leads key campaigns such as ‘Meet the Marshalls’, “Marshalls are…” and “UK University Profiles”.
The Commission organises a bi-annual study tour for the members of the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA). Advisors are usually hosted by 16 different partner universities in the UK. As the 2020 tour had to be cancelled due to Covid, the Commission organised a virtual study tour called Marshall Mondays - Brunch and Learn. Each session included an overview of the university, a mini lecture from an academic and a Q &A session with a panel of students. The sessions were recorded and added to the Marshall website. Depending on Covid-19, the next UK University Study Tour will be held in person again as soon as possible.
I have immense gratitude for the life-changing opportunities that the Marshall Scholarship afforded me. When I applied for the Scholarship, I was a second year medical student on the path to becoming a physician, yet I had developed an interest in economics as an undergraduate and I yearned to bring this academic interest together with my passion to care for people’s health. Studying for a DPhil in Health Economics at the University of Oxford helped connect these interests and passions and forge my career in health policy.
After completing my doctorate, I returned to medical school and trained as an ear, nose and throat surgeon. My career has spanned both medical practice and health policy. I joined the Obama Administration as Director of the Office of Health Reform, where I drove strategy and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive health care reform law that expanded health insurance coverage in the US. I have taken care of patients as a head and neck surgeon, and I recently served as a senior executive in a major health system where I was part of the leadership of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Now, I serve as the Director for the Center for Medicare at the US Department of Health and Human Services, leading the program that provides health care to 63 million Americans aged 65 and older, those with disabilities, and those with End Stage Renal Disease.
Understanding the factors that influence health care decision-making, the interface of policy and operations, and the drivers of health care outcomes and costs is pivotal in my everyday work as a practicing physician and policymaker. The knowledge and expertise I gained from my doctoral studies serve as a crucial foundation to run a program that comprises 4% of our nation’s GDP. However, the ways in which the Marshall Scholarship has changed my life extend far beyond this.
I remember the house I lived in while a graduate student, with flatmates from Germany, South Africa, and the UK. We shared recipes, discussed current events in each of our countries, and shared our varied academic interests. To this day, I have a network of friends and colleagues around the globe, and I am grateful for this incredible perspective and support. My DPhil supervisor retired this past year, and in my remarks at his retirement celebration, I noted the incredible academic collegiality that he instilled in the department. This truly came to light for me on September 11, 2001, when I was sitting in my office working on my thesis, and my officemate turned to me and told me to look at the news – knowing that my sister worked near the World Trade Center. The incredible outpouring of support that I received during that horrific time touches me to this day, and forms the core of the continued bond that I have with my colleagues in the UK.
It is life-changing experiences such as these that make me so grateful for the Marshall Scholarship, and that also led me to serve as the President of the Association of Marshall Scholars. The Association has continued to make tremendous progress to further the mission of the Marshall Scholarship program: to build US-UK ties, increase recognition for the work of Marshall Scholars, and support the Marshall Scholarship Program. I am buoyed by the fact that new scholars will continue to benefit from this program, and then give back to their communities for generations to come.
AMS Report for the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Annual Report 3 October 2020 to 6 October 2021.
Despite the global pandemic in 2020, the Association of Marshall Scholars (AMS) continued to advance its core strategic objectives: strengthening the Scholarship, building US-UK ties and increasing the Marshall alumni community engagement and visibility. To this end, the AMS focused on four primary areas: communications, giving and fundraising, and programming.
Visibility for the Association’s work has grown over the past four years. The AMS has had a 62% increase and a 591% increase in Twitter and Instagram followers, respectively; an 84% and 886% respective increase in postings on each platforms over 4 years; and the rebranded AMS website –marshallscholars.org – has had over 8,000 unique visitors since its launch last June (~80% from the United States, ~10% from the United Kingdom). Professionalized and regular communications now include monthly eBulletins for alumni, AMS Annual Reports, annual national polling with Emerson College, one-off reports for the UK government, and the Marshall Alumni Newsletter. The 2021 Winter Marshall Alumni Newsletter, produced by managing editor Stanley Chang (1991), focused on Marshalls and location and the 2021 Summer Issue focused on British food.
For the fourth consecutive year, the AMS commissioned a national poll by Emerson College with the purpose of (1) probing current US perceptions of transatlantic ties, and (2) assessing Marshall Scholarship brand awareness by the US public. The AMS press release with results from the national poll was picked up by 246 outlets / news sources including the Associated Press, with a potential total audience of 88 million.
As in previous years, our national poll also included questions to assess public brand awareness of the Marshall Scholarship in relation to comparable scholarship schemes. In 2021, 27% of Americans polled had never heard of the Marshal Scholarship, as compared with 38% of the respondents who had not heard of the Scholarship in 2018. There is still some work to do, as the Marshall Scholarship is still significantly less well known than the Rhodes (only 11% had not heard of the Rhodes) and the Fulbright (only 17% had not heard of the Fulbright). As compared with 2018, the net positive reaction to the Marshall scholarship has also gone up from 34% to 37% positive. Overall the year on year research underscores an important challenge for the Scholarship: how to build more awareness of the program and understanding of the impact of its alumni.
As in previous years, AMS Communications Director, Shannon Felton Spence, worked with the British Embassy to help refine messaging and secure coverage of December 2021’s new scholars announcement in the Associated Press. The AP placement resulted in dozen of additional press pick-up across the US and has proven an effective strategy over the past several years for amplifying visibility for the Marshall Scholarship.
The AMS was pleased to have directed approximately $445,000 of funding in 2021 towards strengthening the Scholarship program in several ways. A Marshall Scholar was funded through the AMS Marshall Scholarship endowment of $1.3 million created through contributions from 200+ Marshall alumni and a matching grant from Reid Hoffman CBE (1990). The AMS also matched a British Schools and University Foundation donation to support a Marshall Scholarship for a total of $50,000. In addition, alumni and other donors support Marshall Scholarships at their respective alma maters by donations through the AMS to colleges and universities including: Sussex University; Magdalene College, Cambridge; Magdalen College, Oxford; Lincoln College, Oxford; and Bristol University.
In addition to advocacy and Scholarship support, the AMS provides resources to help bolster the current Marshall Scholars’ experience – offering individual and class-wide grants. The AMS issued a “Marshall Xtra” grant of 1,000 GBP per scholar to each of the 94 enrolled Marshall Scholars in 2021. The Marshall Xtra grant is intended to enrich each Scholar’s time in the UK. The Scholars who received 2020 “Marshall Xtra” funds were extremely grateful, and a selection of photographs and excerpted testimonials from the recipients of the second year’s grant is included as an Appendix at the end of this report. In addition to the above grants and resources, the AMS continued to support current scholar activities organized by the current classes as AMS “Marshall Plus” funds (~$25,000). For the first time in 2021, the AMS will offer a $15,000 Emergency Fund for Scholars to help them meet unforeseen emergency circumstances where these are creating a severe financial burden and may present a serious obstacle to the Scholar’s ability to complete the Scholarship.
In addition to the AMS Marshall Scholarship endowment, alumni have committed ~ $1.6M over the past 4 years, towards directly strengthening the Marshall Scholarship program and supporting Marshall Scholarships at their respective alma maters.
The AMS received more donations in 2020 than in any previous year since its founding. In 2020, 92% of our donations came from small donors, 98% of all Marshall classes that were solicited participated, and 44% of these classes had a participation rate of 20% or higher - with the class of 1960 leading the way at a 60% participation rate. Sixty-three new donors also joined our efforts this year.
In the fall, the AMS publicly launched its one-time, significant fundraising campaign – Marshall 2020 - to help institutionalize AMS efforts to strengthen the Marshall Scholarship program and transatlantic collaboration. Annual Fund giving in 2019 and 2020 and 2021 will count towards our Marshall 2020 campaign. With leadership of philanthropists and alumni across the globe, and through a generous anchoring challenge grant by Reid Hoffman CBE (1990) and additional matching grants and new donor matches made by Bill Janeway CBE (1965) and Anonymous (1983) and others, the Marshall 2020 campaign has raised just over $6.7M of its $7.5M goal.
This past year, the AMS benefited from the time, expertise and support of over 250 Marshalls in volunteer and leadership roles, including the AMS Advisory board, the AMS Board of Directors and Officers, the AMS Director’s Circle, regional events coordinators, outreach volunteers, selection and reading committee members, program speakers and donors, and 63 new donors and eight foundations all providing support.
From 3 October 2020 to 6 October 2021, approximately 900 Marshalls and guests attended over 23 AMS regional, virtual and partner events, including class reunions, a “Marshall Arts and Humanities” program series, and mid-career Marshall introductory briefings for the Consul Generals in Los Angeles.
Regional and virtual programming highlights from the past year included from the Marshall Arts and Humanities series: a book reading with award-winning author Nicole Krauss (1996), musical performances from the Great American Song book with Metropolitan Opera Singer, Wendy Bryn Dionne, accompanied by her sister Elizabeth Harmer Dionne (1992); debate on The Meritocracy Trap with Yale Law Professor Daniel Markovits (1991) and political scientist Mr. Prata Phanu Meta; analysis of the Politics of Storytelling with prize-winning novelist Rebecca F. Kuang (2018); Director of The Norman Lear Center Martin Kaplan (1971), Craig Pearson (2014) and Garrett Turner (2012); a conversation on Immersion Journalism with award-winning author and journalist, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Professor Ted Conover (1982), and Professor Margot Singer (1984), Director of the Eisner Center; Denison University; Lisa Cook (1986) - Professor in the Department of Economics and International Relations at Michigan State University, Jim Poterba (1980) - Mitsui Professor of Economics at MIT and President of the National Bureau of Economic Research, Howard Newman (1969) Co-Founder of Pine Brook Road Partners and Rahul Rehki (2013) - Vice President of Investment Banking at Lazard and Director of the Next Bretton Woods Group.
The AMS was pleased to collaborate with the MACC and the British Embassy to support special programs with alumni speakers such as Dan Barouch (1993), M.D., Ph.D, Principal Investigator, Barouch Laboratory and lead developer of the Johnson and Johnson Coronavirus Vaccine; and for the 2021 Marshall Scholars US-based orientation program. Highlights for this virtual orientation program for Scholars (and alumni listeners) included: a panel discussion on Public Service with Jocelyn Benson (1999), Secretary of State, State of Michigan, and Joshua Geltzer (2005), Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, White House’s National Security Council moderated by Lionel Foster (2002); a panel on Women in STEM with Dr. Jessica Audrey Lee (2005), Scientist, Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, and Dr. Annina Burns (2003), Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Center for Disease Control; and a discussion on Marshalls, Climate Change and the Environment, with Collin O’Mara (2003), President & Chief Executive Officer, National Wildlife Federation; Tomas Carbonell (2003), Deputy Assistant Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency; and Dr. Anjali Tripathi (2009), Astrophysicist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In addition, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce discussed her career at the United Nations and her current policy priorities in a fireside chat with Washington Post reporter Paul Sonne (2007).
The AMS hosted its second annual US - UK Legislative Exchange in December virtually, which allowed more individuals from the US and UK to participate. The program supports members of the United States Congress to meet with members of Parliament and the British Government through a bipartisan exchange that includes briefs from a variety of experts, academic and private sector leaders, and discussions on issues of critical concern to both countries during a transitional period of leadership. The Exchange began with introductory remarks by Ambassador Isobel Coleman (1987), Thomas Friedman (1975), and chair of the US delegation Representative Michael Turner of Ohio. MACC Commissioner Xenia Wickett facilitated an open discussion between US and UK delegates on the challenges that face the US and UK regarding governance during globalization. UK Minister of State for Trade Policy, The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, addressed the delegation on the issue of free trade between the US and UK.
Ms Harriett Baldwin MP, The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, The Baroness Henig CBE, Mr Darren Jones MP, The Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, Ms Chi Onwurah MP, The Rt Hon John Spellar MP, Mr Tom Tugendhat MP, The Rt Hon the Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Lord Wood of Anfield, Rep. Michael Turner, Chair (D-OH-10), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN-05), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-16), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12), Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08), Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT04), Rep. George Holding (R-NC-02), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA-05) (Marshall Scholar 1996), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-07), and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO-07).
The online precursor dialogue to the 2022 Marshall Forum on the Rule of Law: Legal Issues in a Post-Pandemic Society was held on September 24, 2021, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm ET via Zoom. The discussion was co-hosted by the Association of Marshall Scholars and American College of Trial Lawyers, and brought together distinguished American and British judges, lawyers, and legal experts to discuss a series of topics including: COVID and the Courts, Separation of Powers, and Free Speech and the Internet.
United States of America. U.S. Supreme Court: Hon. Stephen Breyer (1959), Hon. Samuel Alito, Hon. Sonia Sotomayor, Hon. Neil Gorsuch (1992); U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona: Hon. Diane Humetewa; Supreme Court of California: Hon. Martin J. Jenkins, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York: Hon. Jessie Furman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit: Hon. William J. Kayatta, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas: Hon. Barbara M.G. Lynn; Marshall Scholars & ACTL Fellows: Cinnamon Carlane (2001), Sheryll Cashin (1984), John A. Day, FACTL, Andrea L’Verne Edney, FACTL, Jeannie Suk Gersen (1995), Harold Hongui Koh (1976), Adam K. Peck, FACTL, Ashok Ramani, FACTL, Jeffrey Rosen (1988), Andrew Schapiro (1985), Kannon Shanmugam (1993), Douglas R. Young, FACTL, Jonathan Zittrain, Harvard Law School.
United Kingdom. Supreme Court of the United Kingdom: The Rt. Hon. Lord Hodge, The Rt. Hon. Lady Arden of Heswall DBE, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mance PC; Northern Ireland: The Rt. Hon Sir Declan Morgan QC, The Hon. Dame Siobhan Keegan DBE; High Courts of England and Wales: The Rt. Hon. Sir Geoffrey Vos MR, The Rt. Hon. Sir Julian Flaux, Chancellor of the High Court, The Hon. Mrs. Justice Steyn DBE, The Hon. Dame Justine Thornton DBE QC; Barrister: Helen Davis QC.
The AMS continues to work closely with the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, the British Consulates, and the British Embassy on outreach efforts to potential applicants, development of regular Marshall Forums focused on key issues affecting the transatlantic relationship, and strategic efforts to strengthen the visibility and vitality of the Marshall Scholarship and community. As part of the Outreach and Diversity Standing Committee, the AMS is supporting a pilot effort to link alumni with Fellowship Advisors. In response to a letter regarding concerns about current scholars’ experiences of racism, the AMS continued ongoing conversations with current Scholars to work collaboratively on constructive ways alumni might be able to help
In closing, the AMS is offering its second, 10-month Fellowship opportunity: the Leland Foundation Association of Marshall Scholars Transatlantic Academy Fellowship at Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs. The paid fellowship is geared towards emerging leaders with experiences from government, the broader policy community, the private sector, media and civil society, as well as with expertise in science, technology, engineering and other fields 25 that help further understanding of global governance challenges. One candidate will be selected to begin their work at The Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs at Chatham House in January. For 2021, the fellowship was awarded to Rebecca Peters (2014). Her research project focuses on climate change governance in urban Asia-Pacific. Gabriella Cook Frances (2019) is the second recipient of the fellowship.
Report submitted by Dr. Nell Breyer, Executive Director, Association of Marshall Scholars and Scott Grinsell, President, Association of Marshall Scholars.
At the Commission meeting held in October 2020, consideration was given to the budget for financial year 2021/2022. The Commission agreed to recommend to the Ambassador’s Advisory Council that 46 new awards should be made for 2021.
The selection of the 2021 Scholars was undertaken by the Regional Selection Committees, listed on page 34 and confirmed by the Advisory Council held in Washington on 7 December 2020.
The At-Large Selection Committee considered the award of Scholarships to reserve candidates. A list of the members of this Committee can be found on page 33.
The number of Scholarships which the Commission can award reflects the level of FCDO funding and the potential support available through partnerships with British Universities, Oxford and Cambridge Colleges and with other institutions.
The Commission has been proactive in negotiating with UK universities and others to provide additional funding support. This additional resource is worth over £1.3 million each year and is generated from our Partner universities and colleges; from the Annenberg Foundation; the National Institutes of Health in the US; and from AMS; and the British Schools and Universities Foundation donations. (See Appendix 2)
The Commission received 1190 endorsed applications for the 2021 Scholarship Competition.
The Regional Committees interviewed 163 applicants and the final selection was 46 scholars.
The following tables detail the breakdown of applicants through application, interview, and selection:
After the necessary places at British universities had been confirmed, the 44 Marshall Scholars for 2021 were:
The 2020 Scholars represent 37 different United States universities and colleges, this was an increase on the previous year. Two institutions appeared on the list for the first time –Rutgers University New Brunswick, and Washington State University. Six of the 2020 Scholars took up the one-year Marshall Scholarship.[footnote 1]
The group will take up their places at the start of the academic year 2020/2021 as follows:
The revised stipend schedule from 1 October 2021, as determined by HMG, resulted in increases to the allowances payable to Marshall Scholars as follows: - basic monthly living allowance from £1,116 to £1,133 (and from £1,369 to £1,390 for those registered at institutions within the London Metropolitan Police district); book allowance from £433 to £439 for first year Scholars. As a result of the stipend adjustments announced the Commission revised the annual grant for approved research travel and the thesis grant from £285 to £290 and £408 to £414 respectively in October 2021.
In addition, the Association of Marshall Scholars (AMS) funded an additional stipend payment of £1,000 per Scholar, known as Marshall Xtra.
The Commission continued the arrangement under which its Secretariat is provided by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, whose offices at Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HF, serve as its headquarters. The detailed work was undertaken by Ms Mary Denyer, Assistant Secretary and Head of Scholarship Administration (until September 2021), Ms Helen Ullock, Programme Administrator (until September 2021) and Ms Anna Gane, Scholarship Assistant under the direction of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ms Caroline Harrison. Ms Haley Addison joined as Manager and Ms Michelle Sauer joined as Programme Administrator in September 2021.
The Commission operated under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information 2018 and had also developed a Publication Scheme to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Find more information on the Marshall Scholarship website.
Under Section 2(7) of the 1953 Act the Commission is required each financial year to prepare accounts of expenditure in such form as the Secretary of State may with the approval of the Treasury direct. The total expenditure of the Commission for the year ended 31 March 2021 was £2,463,412. The Summary Accounts are attached at the end of this Report (Page 44). These figures have been scrutinised by the National Audit Office and, as provided by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Act 1953. The full accounts have been published separately and laid before Parliament. The Association of Commonwealth Universities, on behalf of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, administers and recovers the costs of the Marshall Scholarship Scheme from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Signed on behalf of MACC by John Raine CMG OBE, Chair
These Scholarships are jointly funded by the Commission and the partner Oxford/Cambridge College for any subject either at masters or Doctoral level, except where otherwise indicated:
The Marshall Medal is awarded to people of outstanding achievement whose contribution to British-American understanding, distinguished role in public life, or creative energy, reflect the legacy of George C Marshall. It has been awarded on significant anniversaries in the life of the Scholarship programme or the Marshall Plan.
The summarised financial statements are a summary of information extracted from the full annual financial statements and do not contain sufficient information to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC).
For further information, the Commissioners’ Annual Report, the full Annual Financial Statements and the auditor’s report on those financial statements, should be consulted. These are all contained in the Annual Report and Financial statements, copies of which may be obtained free of charge from the Marshall Scholarship administration, MACC, Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HF.
The annual report and financial statements were approved in July and were laid before Parliament as House of Commons paper HC538 on 20 July 2021. The full annual financial statements from which the summary is derived have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, who gave an unqualified audit opinion.
Signed by John Raine CMG OBE, Chair, in July 2022 on behalf of the Commission.
For the year ended 31 March 2021.
For further information, visit the Marshall Scholarship website, follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Further statistics from the selection process, including numbers of applications received, gender and US universities of origin is available in the Marshall Scholarships 2020 Competition Statistical Report, available on the Marshall website. ↩
Marshall Scholarships may be tenable at institutions to which members of the Commission and its committees belong. ↩
Scholars may be selected from institutions to which members of the Ambassador’s Advisory Council and Selection Committees belong. ↩
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