Daniel Durgavich
Spring 2022 John Jay Fellow
Hometown: Annandale, Virginia
College: University of Virginia
Degrees: B.A. in Foreign Affairs, Minor in History, Master of Public Policy
Daniel Durgavich is a proud son of Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia with his Bachelors in 2019 and his MPP from its Batten School in 2020. During his time at U.Va., he focused on the development of foreign and military policy and the application of strategic thought to statecraft. His Master’s thesis was done as a project for the J-5 directorate, analyzing the potential strategic threats posed in Europe by a Sino-Russian partnership, and developing policy options to combat its influence. He hopes that through his time at John Jay, he can further increase his philosophical grounding for the policy work he would like to do.
While at U.Va., his love of history and tradition led him to focus his time in a variety of literary and debating societies. First among these was the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, founded in 1825, where he presented on topics ranging from vexillology to British politics. He was also a member of the Burke Society and the Chesterton Society, which were dedicated to conservative and Christian philosophy respectively. His love of these communities led him to serve as President of all three, and work to reform the governing documents of each as well. Through these societies, he developed a passion for the interdisciplinary aspect of both academics and policy.
In addition to his studies, Daniel worked with the National Security Policy Center at the Batten School, helping to research and develop policy on topics ranging from national laboratory systems to the structure and organization of the United States Space Force. He also had the privilege of working at the Potomac Institute on topics related to the study of terrorist groups, namely their present activities and how to best oppose them.
Following John Jay, Daniel hopes to enter into a career of public service, hopefully in the area of National Security, and later pursue a doctorate focusing on the advancement of just war doctrine and application. When not theorizing on the development of the modern world, he enjoys playing grand strategy board games and Dungeons and Dragons, as well as reading the works of Tolkien, Lewis, and Chesterton. He also enjoys writing, both essays and fiction, and hopes to one day finish his efforts at a novel.