Each year, CCLP Director Geoffrey Cowan selects some of the best and brightest graduate students in the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism to work with CCLP on dynamic research projects in the areas of media, communications, politics, technology, and diplomacy. Each scholar is awarded tuition assistance and funding in exchange for supporting CCLP’s initiatives.
CCLP is proud to present its 2025-2026 Cowan Research Scholars:
Juliana Maitenaz is a graduate student in the Master of Public Diplomacy program and Cowan Scholar at USC Annenberg, from Brooklyn, NY. Prior to beginning her graduate studies, Juliana completed a Fulbright research grant in São Paulo, Brazil, developing her research on the transformation of percussion from an instrument of military force to one of soft power and cultural diplomacy, primarily focusing on how percussive elements in the Brazilian traditions of Carnaval and samba schools are instrumental to the country’s statecraft and national identity. While completing her Fulbright research in Brazil, Juliana held a guest lecture in Portuguese on her project “Rhythm and Statecraft” at the State University of São Paulo, was enrolled in masters courses at the University of São Paulo, performed as a drummer in Carnaval 2024, and wrote a short book, “De Ouvido” about the culture of pedagogy in São Paulo samba schools.
Juliana graduated from Bard College and Conservatory of Music as a dual degree student with degrees in global international studies and classical percussion performance. As an undergraduate student at Bard, she worked as a writing tutor for the Bard Prison Initiative, completed studies in New York City at the Bard Globalization International Affairs program and in Berlin, Germany, and toured with the Conservatory orchestra in Hai Nan, China. Juliana has interned as a French Lingual Analyst at Nonviolence International NY, an organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and at Redland Strategies consulting firm.
Jagoda Feder is a graduate student, Cowan Scholar and Peterson Scholar enrolled in the dual Global Media and Communications (LSE/USC) program. Originally from Poland and raised in Belgium, she earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
Her academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of politics, culture, communication, and psychology. For her undergraduate dissertation, she examined the motivations behind collective action during Poland’s October 2023 parliamentary elections, focusing on “The March of a Million Hearts.” Her research offered insights into how reconciliation efforts and intergroup communication can shape political engagement and inform public policy.
Beyond the classroom, Jagoda led fashion partnerships for the VS Foundation and developed legal marketing initiatives for the St Andrews Law Review.
At LSE, she deepened her interdisciplinary expertise through coursework across the Departments of Media and Communications, Psychology, and Government, including Modern Campaigning Politics, Political Psychology, and Parties, Elections and Governments. At USC, she is expanding her focus with classes in Communication Strategies for Conflict Management, Communication and Persuasion and Sports Media and Society. Her current research in London explores the emotional dynamics of movement and self-tracking, with a particular interest in how digital platforms like Strava foster connection and accountability in the age of quantified living.
In her free time, Jagoda enjoys running, practicing yoga, reading, and travelling—and is excited to explore all that Los Angeles has to offer!
Jamilya Mamytova is a dual-degree Master’s student in Global Media and Communications, offered jointly by USC and LSE.
Born and raised in Kyrgyzstan – a country with a rich storytelling tradition along the historic Silk Road – she lived, studied, and worked in London for the past eight years.
Jamilya holds a first-class undergraduate degree (the British equivalent of summa cum laude) in IT and Business Management from UCL, where she focused on strategic thinking, digital systems, and organizational analysis. She has diverse experience across project management, operations, and media communications, having worked with organizations including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, and HelloFresh. Most recently, Jamilya worked as part of a team on the production of a British-Kyrgyz travel documentary series featuring actor Dominic West.
Her current academic focus is on how digital media shape positive perceptions, foster emotional engagement, and facilitate cross-cultural dialogue.
Beyond professional and academic life, Jamilya is passionate about cinema, tennis, travel, and amateur surfing.
At CCLP, she looks forward to exploring media through both analytical and creative approaches, with a particular focus on sustainable digital media systems that serve diverse communities in our interconnected world.