The Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy
The Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED) creates and implements activities that connect the practice of international diplomacy to higher education. Our focus is on the transatlantic relationship and the role of the humanities in enhancing cultural literacy and fostering global understanding.
In collaboration with UNC Global Affairs, TFED brings leading diplomats, scholars, and global affairs experts to UNC, enriching the academic environment through guest lectures, seminars, and webinars. By facilitating these exchanges, TFED aims to inspire critical discourse and cross-cultural collaboration within the broader community.
Nick Smith, MP; Shaun Davies, MP; Gagan Mohindra, MP; and The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Evans at UNC
In April 2025, TFED had the pleasure of hosting a special discussion on the future of the transatlantic relationship. We were honored to welcome four members of the UK Parliament: Nick Smith, MP; Shaun Davies, MP; Gagan Mohindra, MP; and The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Evans for a discussion exploring diplomacy, democratic institutions, and the future of UK–US relations. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, UNC’s Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Chief Global Officer.
Special thanks to Justin Sosne for his coordination of the UK delegation’s visit to North Carolina.
This event was part of TFED’s ongoing Diplomacy Initiative and was co-sponsored by:
● Carolina Forum for Education and Diplomacy (CFED)
● UNC Curriculum in Peace, War, and Defense (PWAD)
● UNC Global Affairs
● Honors Carolina
● UNC Department of English and Comparative Literature
The Baroness Meyer CBE
In April 2025, TFED was honored to welcome Catherine Meyer, the Baroness Meyer, CBE for a special online event titled “The House of Lords: A Brief Introduction.”
Baroness Meyer took us behind the scenes of the UK House of Lords, sharing reflections on her remarkable career, UK diplomacy, the transatlantic relationship, and her late husband Sir Christopher Meyer’s posthumously published novel Survivors.
Ambassador William B. Taylor at UNC
In April 2025, TFED had the honor of welcoming Ambassador William B. Taylor, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, for a public conversation at UNC’s FedEx Global Education Center. Ambassador Taylor spoke on the evolving conflict in Eastern Europe and the broader challenges facing diplomacy today.
The event, moderated by Prof. Ted Leinbaugh, was part of TFED’s ongoing Diplomacy Initiative, bringing distinguished leaders to campus to engage students and the wider UNC community in conversations about global affairs.
This program reflects TFED’s mission: strengthening transatlantic relations through education, dialogue, and public service.
📌 To learn more about TFED and support future events, please contact us at transatlanticforum@protonmail.com or text (919) 296-4285.
On Thursday, February 27, at 5:45 PM, TFED hosted Professor Harold Hongju Koh, Sterling Professor of International Law at Yale, and former Dean of Yale Law School and Legal Adviser to the U.S. Department of State.
Public Service Experience:
Reagan Administration: Attorney-Adviser, Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice
Clinton Administration: Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Obama Administration: Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State
This event was a unique opportunity for those interested in law, diplomacy, and global affairs to engage with one of the foremost experts in international law.
TFED is pleased to announce its partnership with UNC Global Affairs, in collaboration with Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, UNC Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Chief Global Officer.
Ambassador Stephenson joined UNC students for a special lecture on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 PM at 5 PM.
Great thanks to our most recent TFED guest speakers!
Singing of Troy: Imagining a Heroic Age from The Iliad to the Aeneid
Catherine Meyer, Baroness Meyer of Nine Elms:
The House of Lords: A Brief Introduction
The Russia-Ukraine War: Colonial Roots & Legal Solutions
TFED hosted a number of guest speakers over the past academic year, featuring internationally known diplomats, global leaders, and accomplished academics. Our affiliated UNC student organization, CFED, has expressed interest in inviting these and other guest speakers for the upcoming academic year: please stay tuned for details!
Stay tuned for news of events scheduled for the upcoming academic year!
Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, & more!
TFED looks forward to these and other exciting events in the upcoming academic year!
TFED is proud to announce three new additions to the TFED Executive Board: The Earl of Effingham; Catherine Meyer, The Baroness Meyer CBE; and Ambassador W. Robert Pearson.
TFED looks forward to hosting webinars this spring featuring TFED board members: Baroness Meyer will be speaking about her work with the House of Lords, and Ambassador Pearson will speak about Turkey’s role in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
“I take a lot of pride in my contributions to TFED; not only does it invest in diplomatic relations between the US and UK, but TFED also invests in students.”
— Myles Lukert (Former intern at TFED)
Our Stories
Students working with TFED come from a variety of different institutions and walks of life. The summer King’s College London program has welcomed students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Vassar College, Wesleyan University, North Carolina State University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and many other universities abroad. TFED has also been eager to welcome multiple veterans to both our educational programming and the UNC Literature and Diplomacy Study Abroad.
If you are a student interested in the work of TFED, please feel free to contact us to learn about joining the UNC study abroad program at King’s College London, attending special guest lectures (primarily on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), or interning with TFED as we work to expand our academic programming and build funding for transatlantic travel scholarships.
What People Are Saying
The Daily Tar Heel
You could study abroad in London through this UNC nonprofit!
Carolina Now.
Learn everything you need to know about UNC Literature and Diplomacy at King’s College London.
The Daily Tar Heel
At ‘Corridors of Power’, speakers explored insider views on U.S. diplomacy.