What’s up! My name is David Frazier, and I am a 2026 Global Scholar at Florida State University.
Global Scholars are high achieving students who are conducting research across many different fields with the goal of developing their global perspectives.
This summer I will be studying comparative political polarization based on governmental structures and systems. I will be traveling to London in May, and Washington, D.C. in June & July. Both cities are hubs for politics within the U.K. and U.S. respectively. During my time in London, I will be learning more about their governmental system through shadowing and touring opportunities: The London Assembly, The Royal Courts of Justice, Houses of Parliament, Scotland House London, and European Union Offices. In addition, I will be working to supplement my observations with interviews with professors at King’s College London and London School of Economics and Political Science.
In Washington, D.C. I will be completing an internship, however, I do not know where yet. In my internship, I hope to gain a greater understanding of political polarization and how the federal government and political elites play a role in comparison to my state level experiences. In addition, I will be working to supplement my observations with interviews with professors at American University.
I am particularly interested in comparative affective polarization due to my passion for bipartisanship. I am very passionate about closing the gap between partisans and working to fully support our underserved communities over focusing on partisan agendas. We are in a period where our democratic systems are become controlled top-down sometimes with no regard to the public’s needs or the real task at hand.
In all of my experiences, I hope to carry out global scholarship and apply my skills and personality to create positive change through my research. With major national holidays occurring in both cities while I am abroad (Bank Holiday & 4th of July), I am excited to continue learning and widening my global perspective.
I hope to share my own culture and values in these communities by continuing to be myself and have meaningful conversations (both in the interviews and outside of them). Political polarization is mainly caused by a lack of understanding between partisans. We having conversations we find that there is a lot of things we agree on. I believe that as an African-American I provide a unique cultural perspective Through a duality of identity: African roots with American experiences.
This summer, I am looking forward to my time in London the most! I have never been to Europe, so while researching and observing London’s political and social environments, I will have the opportunity to learn so much about the United Kingdom and myself throughout my time.
Before heading off to London, I will be completing an analysis of feeling thermometers rates using the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CNES) and the American National Election Studies (ANES) to guide my interviews and observational notes.
Here’s to a great summer ahead!
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