Cornerstone Research Collective

Cornerstone Research Collective.

Shaping the Future of Security through Innovation, Collaboration, and Community.

Do something new.
Do something better.

Cornerstone is a graduate student-led research collective focused on international security studies. Through scholarly inquiry and critical analysis, we aim to contribute meaningfully to addressing the pressing security challenges of our time. Founded in 2023 at the University of Toronto by a group of ten graduate and undergraduate students majoring in international relations, the collective brings together a community of emerging scholars committed to rigorous research. Our first public event was an expert panel discussion — “Experiences Under Myanmar’s Military Dictatorship” — held at UTM on January 26, 2023.

Our Mission

Our mission is twofold. First, we seek to generate actionable insights on security issues by applying international relations theory and collaborating with expert mentors. We aim to highlight potential solutions to contemporary conflicts and threats through innovative research and strategic partnerships. Second, we are committed to building a vibrant scholarly community that is diverse, inclusive, and composed of students deeply invested in the security of their states and communities.

What we do?

Cornerstone produces concise analytical content and organizes scholarly initiatives that engage students and researchers in international security. Our core outputs include:

Research reports and interviews published on our website
An annual international graduate-student conference, online or in-person
A podcast series featuring research findings and expert interviews
An online photo exhibition on international security, open to grassroots submissions

We also maintain a strategic social media presence to amplify our work, connect with peers across institutions, and engage individuals with first-hand knowledge of emerging and ongoing security challenges.

Join Us

If you're passionate about international relations and international security studies and eager to contribute to impactful, student-led research, we invite you to join the Cornerstone Research Collective. Membership is open to third—and fourth-year undergraduate and graduate students in the social sciences or humanities. Second-year students are also welcome to participate as candidates and contributors, working alongside full members on research, events, and publications.

To apply, please email our General Secretary at [___] with a brief statement of interest and your academic or professional background—or include a link to your LinkedIn profile. Members have the right to vote on strategic decisions that shape the collective's direction and priorities. They may also propose and lead their own initiatives (subject to board approval). Members are expected to uphold the values of intellectual integrity, collaboration, and inclusion and, as a basic commitment, participate in a one-hour team meeting every other week.

Our team

Cornerstone is led by a diverse team of students committed to advancing research in international relations and security studies. Our structure reflects the collaborative nature of our work, with each unit contributing to the collective’s mission.

Virginia J. Mui

Research Scientist

Greg V. Walker

Research Associate

Amanda C. Daniels

Research Analyst

Andrew D. Baldridge

Lead Researcher

Virginia J. Mui

Research Scientist

Greg V. Walker

Research Associate

Amanda C. Daniels

Research Analyst

Andrew D. Baldridge

Lead Researcher

Virginia J. Mui

Research Scientist

Greg V. Walker

Research Associate

Amanda C. Daniels

Research Analyst

Andrew D. Baldridge

Lead Researcher

Virginia J. Mui

Research Scientist

Greg V. Walker

Research Associate

Amanda C. Daniels

Research Analyst

Andrew D. Baldridge

Lead Researcher

Let's get started.

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