Georgetown Psychology Graduate Wins Prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Rafi Freund plans to pursue a Ph.D. in criminology at the University of Cambridge.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:34pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a stack of psychology textbooks and a graduation cap, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the interdisciplinary nature of the psychology field and the success of a graduate student.A vibrant celebration of academic achievement and the diverse applications of psychology.Georgetown Today

Rafi Freund, a recent graduate of Georgetown University's psychology department, has been awarded the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. The highly competitive international fellowship will allow Freund to enroll in a Ph.D. program in criminology, combining his interests in psychology, law, and social justice research.

Why it matters

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the world's most prestigious academic awards, recognizing exceptional students from the United States who demonstrate intellectual ability, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Freund's achievement highlights the strength of Georgetown's psychology program and its ability to prepare students for impactful interdisciplinary research.

The details

Freund, who graduated from Georgetown in 2023, initially planned to study government and attend law school. However, he found that his psychology courses were the ones he enjoyed the most, allowing him to explore his interests in law, justice, and social science research. Under the guidance of professors like Jennifer Woolard and Oded Meyer, Freund designed an honors thesis that combined his diverse academic interests. His exceptional work and potential earned him the highly competitive Gates Cambridge Scholarship, which will cover the full cost of his studies and research at the University of Cambridge.

  • Freund graduated from Georgetown University in 2023.
  • The University of Cambridge announced Freund's award on April 6, 2026.

The players

Rafi Freund

A recent graduate of Georgetown University's psychology department who was awarded the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in criminology at the University of Cambridge.

Jennifer Woolard

A psychology professor at Georgetown University who taught Freund and hopes his achievement will encourage other students to engage in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of psychology, law, and policy.

Oded Meyer

A professor of Probability and Statistics at Georgetown University, where Freund worked as a teaching assistant for three years. Meyer praised Freund's exceptional abilities as an educator and his depth of understanding.

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What they’re saying

“I hope that students interested in psychology, law and policy will see that our department is a terrific place to gain experience in theory, method and application. I also hope they see how different areas of psychology can integrate into really interesting experimental research.”

— Jennifer Woolard, Psychology Professor

“As a person, he really contributed to the educational mission of Georgetown and above anything else, everyone should be proud of a student like that.”

— Oded Meyer, Professor of Probability and Statistics

“What I really think distinguished Rafi was his attention and sensitivity to his students' needs as learners. He was very good at that, which is not something I take for granted in a TA. He always paid attention to any kind of questions or mistakes students had.”

— Oded Meyer, Professor of Probability and Statistics

What’s next

Freund plans to enroll in a Ph.D. program in criminology at the University of Cambridge, where he will pursue his research interests at the intersection of psychology, law, and social justice.

The takeaway

Rafi Freund's achievement in winning the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship demonstrates the strength of Georgetown University's psychology program and its ability to prepare students for impactful interdisciplinary research. His story serves as an inspiration for other students interested in exploring the diverse applications of psychology, from law and policy to social science.