Class of 2015

A Cuban performance artist, Indian conflict reporter, Ukrainian political activist (and rock star) and 13 other game-changing global leaders have been named 2015 Yale World Fellows.

This cohort brings the total number of Yale World Fellows since the program’s start in 2002 to 275 Fellows, representing 84 countries.

“I am delighted to welcome this incredible group of activists, artists, policy makers and key global players to Yale,” said incoming Yale World Fellows Director Emma Sky. “The Fellowship was designed to provide people like these – working tirelessly toward large scale change – a valuable opportunity to take a step back from the intensity of their work, to learn from and exchange with the University community, and to develop strong relationships with like-minded peers.”

2015 marks the 14th cohort of Yale World Fellows, and also sees the program joining the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale, which aims to inspire and prepare Yale students for global leadership and service.

“I’ve interacted with World Fellows regularly over the years and know the kind of creativity, energy, vision and experience they infuse into the University experience,” said Sky. “They are wonderful sources of inspiration and mentors for our undergraduate and graduate students.”

Yale World Fellows is Yale University’s signature global leadership development initiative and a core element of Yale’s ongoing commitment to internationalization. Each year, the University invites a group of exemplary mid-career professionals from a wide range of fields and countries for an intensive four-month period of academic enrichment and leadership training.