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Anna Linvill, Coordinator for the Rethinking Diplomacy Program and the Space Diplomacy Lab at the Sanford School of Public Policy, brings a wealth of experience to her role. An Air Force veteran and former Arabic cryptologic linguist, she holds a master’s degree in international relations from The University of Oklahoma. Her career has taken her across the globe, from her time in Libya during a pivotal period in the country’s history to her ongoing work in reshaping diplomacy for the modern world. Anna is especially interested in conflict prevention and international cooperation, and her diverse experiences inform her contributions to the Sanford community.

Shaping Her Perspective Through Time in Libya

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Woman sitting in front of green shrubs and a stone wall.
Anna at the Arch of Septimus Severus in Libya, 2008. 

Anna’s time in Libya profoundly influenced her worldview and her approach to public policy. “My husband was in the Army, and he was assigned to be the Defense Attaché at the Embassy in Libya in 2008, right before Qaddafi fell in 2011,” Linvill recalled. “So, we were there for the last two years of Qaddafi's time in power. We saw not only Qaddafi at the peak of his power but also how quickly things can fall apart. It was eye-opening to be inside an embassy during such uncertainty, witnessing the decisions that must be made in times of crisis.”

Reflecting on how the experience shaped her, she added, “That experience taught us a lot about the complexities of intervention and diplomacy. It completely upended my worldview. Although it was scary and difficult, it was also a profoundly life-changing event that I wouldn’t trade for anything. The lessons I learned from that time continue to inform my perspectives on international relations and public policy.”

The surprising Role of Theater in Anna’s Life and Career

For Anna, theater has always been key to connecting with new

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A man and two women dressed in costume, performing at a theater.
Anna and Members of the Tripoli Players. Performing Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods, 2009. 

communities. “Before I even arrived in Libya, Ireached out to one of the leaders of the Tripoli Players,” she shared. “Theater is always the first thing I seek out when I move to a new place. For me, finding a theater community is the best way to make friends and become part of a local culture, especially since we moved every one to three years. The Tripoli Players came from more than 100 different countries, including local Libyans.”

She explained how theater grounded her during her time in Libya. “In Libya, music and theater was at the center of my life. The people I met through the Tripoli Players and my cultural diplomacy work at the Embassy became some of my closest friends, and they remain so today. Some Libyan members of the Tripoli Players played significant roles in the revolution and continue to work in peacebuilding efforts today. Even now, more than a decade later, we stay in touch. In May, a group of us met in England and reflected on the state of things in Libya and how much has changed in the world since those days.”

Inspiration Behind Anna’s Book and Its Personal Impact

Anna’s experience in Libya inspired her to write Broadway in Benghazi, a book that delves into her personal experiences as a trailing diplomatic and military spouse, doing cultural diplomacy, and her reflections on the mixed motives behind foreign intervention and the unintended consequences of well-intentioned policy decisions. After the revolution, writing became a means of processing the complex emotions and events she witnessed. She described Libya as a “cautionary tale in how intervention can go wrong,” reflecting on how the country’s transition from Qaddafi’s rule led to instability despite international intervention.

Despite her hesitation about publishing such personal reflections, Anna chose to be honest and share the difficult truths. “I had to think very hard about whether or not to tell certain stories. And I chose to tell them, even though I was kind of worried that some people might not be happy about those stories being out there,” Linvill remarked, adding that she tried to approach her storytelling with generosity and an acknowledgment of the complexities involved.

Being Part of the Sanford Community

Anna’s personal and professional journey aligns deeply with the Sanford School’s mission and the goals of the Rethinking Diplomacy Program. “My experiences, particularly in Libya, have contributed to a perspective that aligns deeply with the goals of the Rethinking Diplomacy Program,” she said. “The program aims to make diplomacy more forward-thinking and adaptive to today’s complex challenges. Diplomats need a deeper understanding of local contexts, history, science, and technology to avoid reactive policies and unintended consequences.”

Dr. Giovanni Zanalda and RDP Senior Fellow, Ambassador (ret) Bob Pearson, started the Rethinking Diplomacy Program in 2020 – and then the pandemic hit. They pivoted quickly to online events, building a global audience. Linvill joined the team in 2022, to coordinate and help promote the program’s growing calendar of events and webinars. “Working with Dr. Zanalda and the RDP fellows and students has made me more optimistic about the future of diplomacy. It was refreshing to find out that I wasn’t the only one who thought the way the US does diplomacy needed a rethink.”

Goals for the Rethinking Diplomacy Program at Sanford

Anna is deeply committed to supporting the growth and future of the Rethinking Diplomacy Program in partnership with other units at Sanford and Duke. “We are working hard to build connections between Duke and diplomats working in the field. We also hope more Duke students will consider a life in the civil and foreign service. We’ve made a great start with events like the Foreign Service Career Day. Students seem interested in working with us, especially in the Space Diplomacy Lab and the Ocean Diplomacy Working Group.”

Passion for Working with Students

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A man and a woman sitting in front of microphones, recording a podcast.
Anna with Rethinking Diplomacy Graduate Fellow, Harrison Schreiber, MPP '25 in Duke's podcast studio.

The dynamic exchange of ideas is one of the most rewarding aspects of Anna’s role at Sanford. “For me, the best part of the work I do, is listening to the ideas and insights of students and thought leaders in public policy and diplomacy,” Linvill said. “Diplomacy intersects with every aspect of life—health, climate, space, technology, politics—you name it.”

She is particularly excited by the diverse backgrounds and expertise that students bring to the table. “A lot of students who work with us are pursuing dual interests—combining public policy with fields like computer science, marine science, astrophysics, law, and more. Many are already getting involved in policymaking, working as fellows with organizations like the State Department, the UN, and the National Science Policy Network. It’s inspiring to work with students who are so brilliant and driven.”

For Anna, supporting students, fellows, and researchers in their endeavors is a core part of her role. “We are here to help put their work out into the world. We provide a platform where they can share their ideas, interact with fellow scholars, and engage with policymakers. It's an energizing, generative environment. I believe the work we’re doing can have a lasting impact.”

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Discover the Rethinking Diplomacy Program at Duke

The Rethinking Diplomacy Program (RDP) at Duke University fosters collaboration between diplomats, policy experts, and scholars to address global challenges through research and policy innovation. RDP emphasizes the integration of communication, cultural awareness, and negotiation with expertise in fields like science, health, climate, and law, promoting advanced, forward-thinking diplomacy to prepare future leaders for a complex world.

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