Jennifer (Gigi) Thornquest is a research assistant  at the Centre on Conflict, Development & Peacebuilding, currently in her second year of the interdisciplinary Master in International and Development Studies (MINT) program at the Geneva Graduate Institute. An alumna of Mount Holyoke College (USA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Politics, she serves as an official Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State through the Gilman International Scholarship Program. Her research examines the intersections of human migration and education, with current focus on the role of participatory arts programs as peacebuilding. Her academic background includes a strong interest in computational text analysis, border culture theory, and resettlement particularly the impact of intimate stories to inspire critical inquiry. Her concurrent work in refugee advocacy significantly influences her research. 

Prior to her graduate studies, Jennifer developed a diverse career working with youth in non-traditional educational settings, including rural outreach STEM and arts programs, and mentoring through the NGO Children of the Earth. Jennifer also brings a decade of experience as a small business owner and event professional in the U.S., where she led event coordination, production, and public speaking. She has emceed or DJ’d over 400 events, including high-profile settings such as the United Nations' International Day of Peace and TEDx events. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Jennifer is passionate about the arts, particularly circus arts, where she enjoys coaching young children and bringing joy to their lives.