The Fulbright Awards were established by Senator William Fulbright, who held the belief that international exchange and cooperation would grow cultural understanding and contribute to more peaceful solutions. Maria shares this ideal, saying, “I think that’s still very important, particularly in the current global context”.
“As a Fulbright scholar, you truly feel part of a legacy committed to fostering global understanding and mutual cooperation. I deeply share those values, and I hope my research can contribute to that ongoing mission.”
As an international humanitarian lawyer, Maria specialises in civilian protection, terrorism and counter-terrorism, and humanitarian exemptions within sanctions regimes.
At Harvard, she will research the evolution of humanitarian exemptions under international sanctions, with a particular focus on counter-terrorism contexts.
“I’ll be working as a visiting researcher under Professor Naz K. Modirzadeh, a leading scholar in international humanitarian law and UN sanctions. Her knowledge of humanitarian exemptions is amazing. By developing part of my PhD research at PILAC Harvard Law School, I hope to deepen my understanding and contribute to the ongoing discussions in this field of law.”
While Maria sees this as an opportunity to grow her own career, she’s equally excited about strengthening the academic ties between Victoria University of Wellington and Harvard University and contributing to the broader international academic discussion of humanitarian law.
“I hope this opportunity opens doors for future collaborations. New Zealanders offer a unique perspective on humanitarian law and have much to contribute to global discussions. My goal is not only to advance my own academic journey but also to strengthen existing networks and foster new partnerships.”
The unique perspective Maria brings is deeply rooted in her own experiences. Her interest in humanitarian law was sparked during a school exchange visit to South Africa, where she witnessed firsthand the enduring impacts of apartheid. Upon returning home, a conversation with her mother—who encouraged her to make a difference in helping others—became a defining moment that set her on the path she follows today.
Since that trip, Maria has continued to build on those experiences, including a pivotal role with a United Nations Mission to Colombia during the peacebuilding process between 2017 and 2018.
“Being part of that process opened my eyes to the importance of supporting communities to build peace—especially those in or emerging from conflict—as a means to break the persistent cycle of violence. This experience showed me the impact peace has on people’s lives, and that became a powerful motivator for coming back to New Zealand to do my Master’s and PhD.”
Maria's PhD thesis examines how international sanctions in armed conflict affect civilian protection and the provision of humanitarian assistance, with the goal of evaluating and strengthening the legal frameworks that help reduce these harms.
Drawing on her real-world experience, she aims to present her research in a way that’s accessible to local humanitarian workers, policymakers, and fellow scholars, helping them better understand the legal frameworks and tools available to support their efforts on the ground.
"I chose Victoria University of Wellington because of the outstanding professors and supervisors who truly make a difference. My supervisors, Professor Alberto Costi and Dr Marnie Lloydd, are leading experts in international humanitarian law, and the University is known for producing high-quality research. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to go to Harvard and deeply appreciate the time and dedication my supervisors have invested in helping me reach this goal."
Geoff McLay, Dean of the University’s Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture—Faculty of Law congratulated Maria on the award.
“We’re all incredibly proud of Maria for receiving a Fulbright Award. Opportunities like this enable connection between academics and institutions, which is a vital part of what we do as a university. I wish her all the best at Harvard.”