Biography

Sofia
Detjen

Drummer · Scholar

Biography

Sofia Detjen is a professional drummer and scholar. Her work spans live performance and recording, history, international affairs, and public life.

Her musical work spans live performance, studio recording and theatre. Sofia performed all drum set and percussion parts on the original theatre soundtracks for HPT 176: 101 Damnations and HPT 177: Salooney Tunes. Her performance credits include Jazz à Vienne, North Sea Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz and Telluride Jazz Festival.

Sofia’s research examines how governments and institutions interpret political change, particularly in Iran and the Middle East, and how those interpretations shape intelligence and foreign policy. As a Kenneth I. Juster Fellow at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, she has conducted archival research in London and Paris on intelligence assessments of pre-revolutionary Iran.

Her broader work includes research for Harvard scholars and policy leaders; manuscript and bibliographic work; and policy research on Middle East security, strategic competition and U.S. national-security policy.

Academic Assessment

“Sofia is the best Harvard undergrad I have worked with [over] the past eight years at the Kennedy School. She has the pillars of character, integrity, intellectual distinction, and service.”
Chris Li Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy · Harvard Kennedy School
Research Fellow · International Security Program · Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Formation

History, government
and global jazz.

Harvard College
History & Government
A.B. Candidate
Harvard–Berklee Dual Degree Program
Berklee College of Music
Global Jazz
M.M. Candidate
Berklee Global Jazz Institute

Curriculum vitae available upon request.

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Selected Profile

LDS Living
May 2023

Faith, Music & the Road to Harvard

An LDS Living feature on Sofia’s path through music and to Harvard, and the role faith has played in shaping her approach to ambition, work and possibility.

Read the Profile