DIPLOMACY. EDUCATION. GLOBAL LEADERSHIP.
—Where Students Meet Diplomacy—
The Transatlantic Forum for Education and Diplomacy (TFED) serves as a bridge between higher education and the practice of diplomacy. Through lectures, simulations, mentoring, educational travel, and public engagement, TFED connects students with internationally recognized diplomats, scholars, policymakers, and global leaders.
What We Do
TFED builds bridges between students and the institutions, ideas, and leaders shaping international affairs through four complementary areas of activity.
Distinguished Speakers and Public Conversations
TFED brings students and the wider university community into direct conversation with internationally recognized diplomats, scholars, policymakers, and public officials.
Simulations and Experiential Learning
TFED creates negotiation exercises, tabletop simulations, policy discussions, and other programs that allow students to engage actively with complex international challenges.
Mentoring and Professional Engagement
Students develop meaningful relationships with diplomats, scholars, and practitioners through smaller discussions, networking opportunities, career guidance, and continued mentorship.
Educational Travel and Transatlantic Exchange
TFED supports opportunities for students to experience diplomacy and international education firsthand through educational travel, institutional visits, and transatlantic partnerships.
Partnering to Expand Student Opportunity
UNC Global Affairs Partnership
TFED is proud to partner with UNC Global Affairs in bringing internationally recognized diplomats, scholars, policymakers, and global leaders to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Together, we sponsor public conversations, lectures, negotiation simulations, and special programs that connect students directly with contemporary issues in international affairs.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparing students for thoughtful leadership in an increasingly interconnected world while demonstrating how the humanities, diplomacy, and public service complement one another.
Professor Harold Hongju Koh
Sterling Professor of International Law
Yale Law School
Curriculum in Peace, War, and Defense (PWAD) Partnership
TFED is proud to partner with the Curriculum in Peace, War, and Defense (PWAD) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in developing programs that connect academic study with the practice of diplomacy, international affairs, and national security. Together, TFED and PWAD create opportunities for students to engage directly with distinguished practitioners whose careers span diplomacy, public service, international security, and global leadership.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to interdisciplinary learning and experiential education, demonstrating how the liberal arts, the humanities, and professional education complement one another in preparing students for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
One example of this collaboration was TFED's presentation of Ambassador William B. Taylor, former United States Ambassador to Ukraine. His visit brought together students, faculty, and members of the broader community for an informed discussion of the war in Ukraine, diplomacy, and the continuing importance of principled international leadership.
United Kingdom Partnership
TFED's longstanding relationships with colleagues in the United Kingdom have created exceptional opportunities for students to engage directly with British diplomacy, government, higher education, and public life. These collaborations strengthen the transatlantic relationship while providing students with firsthand insight into democratic institutions, international affairs, and public service.
One recent example was TFED's program featuring four Members of the United Kingdom Parliament, who visited The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for a discussion of diplomacy, democratic leadership, and the future of UK–US relations. The visit was made possible through TFED's continuing relationships within the United Kingdom's diplomatic community, including the assistance of Justin Sosne in coordinating the parliamentary delegation's visit to Chapel Hill.
Together with partnerships throughout The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and abroad, these international collaborations illustrate TFED's commitment to serving as a bridge between higher education and the practice of diplomacy, strengthening transatlantic relationships while expanding opportunities for students, scholars, and future leaders.
UNC School of Law Partnership
Ambassador Barbara Stephenson
Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Chief Global Officer
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
TFED has also benefited from the support of the UNC School of Law in presenting distinguished authorities on international law, diplomacy, and public service. This collaboration has helped make possible programs featuring Professor Harold Hongju Koh, Sterling Professor of International Law at Yale Law School, former Dean of Yale Law School, and former Legal Adviser to the U.S. Department of State.
Through public lectures, student discussions, and smaller opportunities for conversation, these programs connect students with leading scholars and practitioners while encouraging engagement across law, diplomacy, international affairs, and the humanities.
Ambassador William Taylor
Former United States Ambassador to Ukraine
Honors Carolina Partnership
TFED is proud to partner with Honors Carolina in creating distinctive educational opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom. Through this collaboration, students have participated in special programs that connect academic study with diplomacy, public service, and international engagement.
One especially memorable example was a TFED program at the House of Lords, where Honors Carolina students had the opportunity to take part in high tea and meet with members of the House of Lords and other distinguished guests, including Baroness Catherine Meyer CBE and the Earl of Effingham, both members of the TFED Board of Directors.
Experiences such as these reflect TFED's commitment to experiential education: giving students opportunities not simply to study institutions and international affairs, but to enter those settings themselves, engage directly with leaders, and develop relationships that can continue well beyond a single event.
Distinguished Leaders and Friends of TFED
Throughout its history, TFED has been enriched by the friendship, wisdom, and generosity of distinguished diplomats, scholars, public servants, and educators whose contributions have helped shape the organization's mission. Together, they represent the values that define TFED: intellectual curiosity, public service, international cooperation, and a shared commitment to connecting higher education with the practice of diplomacy. Their continuing engagement reflects TFED's belief that the strongest educational experiences are created by building enduring bridges between students, scholarship, diplomacy, and international collaboration.
Sir Christopher Meyer
Former British Ambassador to the United States
A founding member of TFED whose friendship, vision, and lifelong commitment to transatlantic understanding helped inspire the creation of the organization.
Professor Harold Hongju Koh
Sterling Professor of International Law, Yale Law School
One of the world's leading scholars of international law whose longstanding friendship with TFED has provided students with exceptional opportunities to explore diplomacy, human rights, and global leadership.
Ambassador W. Robert Pearson
Former United States Ambassador to Turkey
A member of the TFED Board of Directors whose distinguished diplomatic career and continuing engagement have enriched TFED's educational mission through lectures, mentoring, and diplomacy simulations.
David Stuttard
Classicist, Author, and Historian
An internationally recognized scholar whose work on the literature and civilization of ancient Greece and Rome reminds students that the humanities remain central to understanding diplomacy, leadership, and the human condition.
Baroness Catherine Meyer CBE
Member of the House of Lords
A member of the TFED Board of Directors whose leadership and continuing partnership have expanded opportunities for students through public lectures, House of Lords programs, and transatlantic engagement.
Paul Rennie OBE
British Consul General in Los Angeles
The senior UK government representative for the U.S. Southwest, whose distinguished diplomatic career and continuing engagement with TFED strengthen educational, economic, and diplomatic ties across the transatlantic community.
Together, these distinguished leaders embody TFED's conviction that enduring relationships between scholars, diplomats, and students are among the strongest foundations for international understanding.
The Baroness Meyer CBE
Last year, 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
Last year, 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.
Last year, 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 hosted a number of guest speakers over the past academic year, featuring internationally known diplomats, global leaders, and accomplished academics. Stay tuned for future webinars!
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
Ambassador W. Robert Pearson.
TFED looks forward to hosting webinars this year 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)
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