Margaux Granath has joined the Institute for Free Speech as a Research Intern for the spring of 2021. In this role, Margaux will design and conduct a semester-long research project in conjunction with the Institute’s Research Director, assist in the production of the organization’s Daily Media Update, contribute original writing to the Institute’s blog, and support the Research Department’s efforts.

Margaux is a current senior at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she is pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and minors in Business Law and Arabic. She has worked as an undergraduate research assistant since her freshman year, tracking civil liberties violations and extremism in Central Asia. She received departmental awards for her work both semesters of her junior year.

Her passion for defending the First Amendment formed out of her participation in a student government group her freshman year. Since that time, Margaux has authored a Chicago Statement resolution on behalf of her fellow students, oversaw the creation and implementation of a free expression website for the University, and interned in summer 2019 for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE).

“The First Amendment is vital to American democracy,” Margaux explained. “Without it, we risk losing our dearest American values: freedom, protest, and progress. I am very excited to work at the Institute for Free Speech, where I will uphold a longstanding reputation of ensuring every American has the ability to speak freely, which has become increasingly more important in our political climate.”

We look forward to working with Margaux over the coming months and welcome her to our growing and dedicated team!