Global Thought Leaders

Led by Dr. Kevin Funk, a Fellow in Global Thought and specialist in political economy and globalization, the Global Thought Leaders Program provides a rigorous academic framework for emerging and experienced leaders to analyze the intersection of global trends and local realities.

Program Overview

Developed in partnership with the Committee on Global Thought and Columbia Global Centers Istanbul, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro, this 8-week online program brings together an international cohort of students to dissect four topics:

• Climate Change: Analyzing environmental shifts and sustainability frameworks.
• World Order: Evaluating evolving geopolitical and economic structures.
• Technology and Social Media: Exploring the impact of digital transformation on society.
• Race, Gender, and Identity: Understanding the social and cultural dimensions of equity.

Capstone Project: From Theory to Action

The program culminates in a solutions-oriented, small-group capstone project. In the final weeks of the 2026 sessions, participants will collaborate to analyze how specific countries are responding to a chosen global issue, such as migration flows or data governance. These projects require groups to propose actionable responses, which are presented to the cohort in the program’s final session.

Application Information

The Global Thought Leaders Program is highly competitive with limited space. Application deadlines for the next cohort will be announced soon.

To request more information, email globalthought@columbia.edu.