IID
The International Issues Discussion (IID) series is a student-led forum designed to engage all members of the university community on major events and issues in contemporary global affairs through reasoned, objective, and scholarly discourse.
IID

The Team

Co-Founder, Faculty Advisor and Manager
Arne Kislenko is Associate Professor with the Department of History at Ryerson University (not Toronto Metropolitan University) and an Instructor in the Margaret MacMillan Trinity One International Relations programme at Trinity College, University of Toronto. He teaches modern international relations, including courses on the world wars, the Cold War, the history of espionage, the history of terrorism, comparative foreign policy, and modern Southeast Asia. Read More.


Da Seul, also known as Regina, is pursuing a double major in International Relations and Political Science with a minor in Latin American Studies at the University of Toronto. Her interests in contemporary global affairs issues, human rights, and the environment have led to her involvement as a student leader in the International Issues Discussion Series, President of Rotaract UofT, Outreach Director at the University of Toronto’s Amnesty International, G7/G20 compliance director, as well as Research and Education intern for HanVoice UofT. Da Seul is interested in research that addresses human rights in nuclear North Korea and Latin America.


Jordan Le Roux is a fourth-year History student at Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University. She is primarily interested in modern Southeast Asian history and enjoys learning about public policy and international relations which led her to becoming involved with the IID. Jordan is an involved student leader, currently serving as the President of the Metropolitan History Society (MHS) as well as the Program Director for History on SASSH, the student government for TMU’s Faculty of Arts. Jordan loves reading, baking, horror movies and petting her three cats (named Arthur, Baby and Olive).


Fion Li is entering her third year of a Politics and Governance Co-op degree at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her primary research interests focus on international relations, the power dynamics of the state, and contemporary East Asian politics. She previously worked as a research analyst for the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Broadband Financial Accountability Unit.


Jordan Picheniuk is in his third year of an Economics and History degree with a focus in Data Analytics at the University of Toronto. He has developed a keen interest in national and global policy, especially concerning Canada and its allies abroad. Through his time at the IID, Jordan has broadened his academic and professional horizons and connected him with community members. He hopes to connect further with students and enrich their campus experiences as well.


Portia is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, Trinity College, studying International Relations and Political Science. As a Compliance Analyst for the G7 Research Group, Portia has researched the commitment of Canada and the United Kingdom to the rules-based multilateral order. Portia has presented academic papers at several undergraduate research conferences hosted by the University of Toronto, including the Trinity College Undergraduate Research Conference (TCURC) and the IID’s own annual Student Conference. Portia is also a member of the Indigenous Leadership Commission of the Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative Project, in partnership with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law. Over the summer of 2024, Portia worked as a Junior Policy Analyst in the Privy Council Office.


Andrea is currently pursuing a double major in International Relations and Economics, along with two certificates in Business Fundamentals and Sustainability at the University of Toronto. With a passion for economics and global governance, Andrea has focused their research on international economic institutions and their impact on economic inequality. She has taken on leadership roles, including Vice President of Rotaract UofT and VP of Finance for the Diabetes Link Chapter at the University of Toronto. Outside of academics, Andrea is enthusiastic about reading, exploring new cultures, and engaging in community service.


Alice is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, Trinity College, studying International Relations, Political Science, and East Asian Studies. A deep interest in human intelligence, espionage, warfare analysis, and security relations drives her academic journey. Alice has gained significant experience through her work with the G7/G20 Research Groups, where she analyzed member states’ compliance in the Official Development Assistance and Health sectors.Her research has led to presentations at multiple undergraduate conferences, including the Trinity College Undergraduate Research Conference (TCURC) and the Trinity-IID Student Conference on Intelligence and Security. In 2024, Alice joined The Plakhov Group as a Research Analyst, focusing on Eastern European affairs, particularly the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. Her role involves in-depth research and analysis of the region’s political, military, and security landscapes.


Anemone Van Leeuwen is a third-year student at the University of Toronto, majoring in International Relations and Sociocultural Anthropology. She is also pursuing a minor in European Affairs from the Munk Undergraduate program and a Certificate in International Affairs. Anemone is primarily interested in migration, cultural exchange, and the intersection of humanitarianism and securitization.


Maisha Karim is entering her fourth year of Philosophy-History double major at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her primary research focus includes Russian international relations and Metaphysics with a personal interest in theology.


Luis Sanchez is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, currently doing a double major in political science and history. He enjoys a wide variety of topics ranging from action film stunt work, Wilsonian idealism, and runway fashion.