Nazeli Tonoyan

Courses & Programs

• Global Development Practice Master’s Degree Program
• Leading with Ethics: Professional Practices for Sustainable Development

What do you like about teaching at Harvard Extension School?

I love and enjoy teaching at Harvard Extension School and consider it a great privilege; I feel at home. I earned my bachelor’s degree in arts from HES and have personally experienced the transformative power of the education it offers. After studying at various other universities, I returned to my academic “home” to contribute to its exceptional quality of education and opportunities. It is akin to a homecoming for me. I am genuinely grateful for this chance to be part of the vibrant community at HES, surrounded by equally diverse and brilliant students. It is the best intellectual environment an academic could ask for.

What are your areas of expertise/interest?

I specialize in sustainable international development, focusing on global inclusion and social development. My academic and professional journey has provided me with expertise in various disciplines, including economics, philosophy, law, psychology, and arts, with a strong emphasis on human rights. I am particularly passionate about addressing issues related to marginalized populations, such as LGBTQ+ rights and the empowerment of indigenous communities. My work often explores the ethical dimensions of development, aiming to promote social justice and equity.

What first drew you to your field?

I am deeply averse to injustice because it affects the most vulnerable and marginalized communities worldwide. International development presents an opportunity to address these injustices; however, it is imperative to do so ethically and inclusively. Addressing these issues requires careful consideration of cultural norms, socioeconomic conditions, gender, geography, faith, and numerous other factors; crucially, the inclusion of grassroots and indigenous voices is vital for the success of any program, policy, law, or initiative in global development. By equipping our leaders and practitioners with critical thinking skills and transformative rigor, we can achieve sustainable and just outcomes. I aim to guide students through an inclusive, ethical approach that transcends disciplinary boundaries.

What advice would you give to future students interested in taking your courses?

To future students in my courses: Engage deeply with the material and participate actively in discussions. Be open to exploring complex ethical issues in global development. Your contributions are valuable in our collaborative learning environment. Embrace the opportunity to expand your understanding of ethics and social justice in international development. Together, we can make meaningful progress towards a more inclusive and sustainable world.

About Nazeli Tonoyan

Nazeli Tonoyan is currently advancing her expertise as a PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, focusing on global inclusion and social development.

Tonoyan’s research is transdisciplinary, underpinned by her commitment to driving social and legal change. Utilizing feminist theory and methodology, she conducts studies on marginalized groups, aiming to challenge and reshape existing power structures.

Her areas of research and interest include sexual and gender-based violence, gender and human rights, gender equity, LGBTIQ rights, education leadership policy, access to education for Indigenous girls, and interdisciplinary curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation internationally.

She has a profound passion for developing and implementing innovative teaching methodologies, particularly in graduate-level education. She also offers scholarly project advisement, such as thesis writing and capstone projects, assisting students in developing meaningful educational goals consistent with their interests, values, and abilities.

As a multilingual expert, Tonoyan advises policy and practice internationally. She is an expert in quantitative and qualitative research methods, which brings a unique, mixed-methods perspective to her work. Her graduate teaching portfolio includes human rights law, gender-based violence, ethics of development, gender and development, and the economics of education.