Leadership

Frances is studying for an MSc in Global Health Science as part of her training as a public health registrar. Previously she studied medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, with an intercalated degree in Medical Ethics and Law. Over the last three years, she has worked as a junior doctor in clinical practice and medical research, and completed an MA in Bioethics and Society at King’s College. Frances is interested in wider dimensions of public health practice, including public health ethics, health inequities and concepts of health justice. Her mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Public Health, University of London.

Xian is currently studying for an MSc in Comparative Social Policy with a special focus on social policies for migrant ethnic minority groups. She earned a bachelors degree in philosophy and English literature at Tsinghua University, Beijing, and has an Oxford MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies. Xian has participated in academic programs and intern schemes in Hong Kong, Canada, Russia, South Korea and the USA. In her spare time she writes essays, having so far published a novel with another writer and over 50 articles. Her mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Professor Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China Institute at King's College, London.

Daniel is in his second year of a DPhil in Cyber Security. His research and interests lie at the intersection of technology and policy. One avenue he has pursued is ICANN with their NextGen initiative, which seeks to develop internet governance leaders. This summer he participated in HutZero, an early stage start-up accelerator run by CyLon. Daniel has gained leadership experience as MCR President of University College, through tutoring with Students4Students and in a junior ministry role at Echo Grove Summer Camp. His mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Charles Conn, Warden of Rhodes House.

Hanyang is in the second year of a DPhil in Candidate in Condensed Matter Physics, researching solar cell materials. He is a graduate of Zhejiang University, and has also studied at universities in Sweden and Canda. Born and raised in Shaoxing City, Hanyang has worked as a physics teacher and enjoys traveling and good conversation. His hobbies include dancesport, swimming, and hiking. He is fascinated by cultural diversity and inter-cultural communication. His mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Timothy Beardson, Author and Founder of Crosby.

Victor is a junior clinician-scientist from Australia, currently conducting research in neuroscience at the University of Oxford. His academic interests involve brain cancer and neurosurgery, and he is also interested in exploring communication techniques that can optimise outcomes both within and outside the healthcare setting. Beyond healthcare, his interests include learning languages and his favourite basketball team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Victor hopes to energise the links medical circles share with science and the community. His mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Jonathan Wolf, Professor of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government.

Yin is a DPhil Candidate and Clarendon Scholar at the Oxford Internet Institute. Her research explores Brexit hashtags through the lens of sociology of culture, linguistics, and political communication. Yin has degrees in English from both Oxford and Columbia University, and she is the founder of the TORCH #SocialHumanities research network, which explores the implications of social media from multidisciplinary perspectives. Yin’s interest in youth empowerment and languages has led her to deliver workshops for students in Japan, teach German students at St Hilda’s College, and participate in outreach work for the London Centre for Languages and Cultures. Her mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Baroness Lane Fox, founder of lastminute.com and board member of Twitter.

Darius is currently studying for an MBA at Oxford's Saïd Business School. He grew up in a small German community learning Spanish at school before being immersed in Latin American culture whilst studying international commerce at the American University of Asuncion. A masters in Innovation Management and work in international trade led him to Oxford as a Paraguay government scholar in 2016. The path, however, has been far from smooth. Collapsing at a half marathon in 2015, Darius was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the battle with which has made a significant mark on his outlook. Now free of any tumour, Darius is determined to make the most of the opportunities before him. His mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

Stefan is studying for a Master's in Public Policy at Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government. A Truman Scholar and committed Roman Catholic, he hopes to improve the lives of marginalized people through policy reform. He advocates for children of incarcerated parents through mentorship and community leadership throughout Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., with the perspective of a son whose father is incarcerated. Stefan has held internships at the White House and Philadelphia City Hall, and as student body president of his high school, received a letter of encouragement and congratulations from President Obama. His mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is James Dancer, Consultant with strategic intelligence firm, Hakluyt & Company.

Annika is a Public Service Scholar at the Blavatnik School of Government, completing a Master's in Public Policy. She had a corporate/arbitration background before moving into crime prevention and criminal justice. Annika has worked for United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime for the last seven years and is currently on leave from her position as the Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser in the Pacific region. She is interested in public policies that can better support good governance and empower people, especially marginalised groups. Her mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Professor Ngaire Woods, Founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government.

Tejas is currently studying for a Master's in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. Before coming to Oxford, Tejas worked as lawyer in Singapore and in India. His most recent appointment was as assistant standing counsel for the Government of Gujarat, India. He also leads Rannim Associates, a boutique firm which offers pro bono litigation and advisory services. An avid writer, Tejas has to his credit more than 40 publications with various national and international journals and newspapers. Tejas loves cricket and is currently part of the St. John’s College cricket team.

Amanda is currenlty completing a DPhil in Clinical Medicine focused on improving patient oriented research during emerging and epidemic disease outbreaks. She is a medical doctor, trained in Australia, and also has a MSc in Global Health from the University of Oxford. Her academic interest is in the medical response to humanitarian crises, and in global health security. She was the field project manager for the RAPIDE trial conducted in Sierra Leone during the West Africa Ebola outbreak and has worked in other humanitarian settings. Amanda is a Rhodes Scholar and keen sportswoman. She has been awarded an Oxford Full Blue. Her mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Professor Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome Trust.

Ibrahim is currently studying for an MSt in Islamic Studies and History, where he focuses on premodern legal theory and political thought. He arrived in Oxford with a BA in English and an MA in comparative literature from Dartmouth College. He is particularly interested in contemporary political theory and legal philosophy, especially as they relate to issues of international law. Ibrahim is currently Director of Research and Global Languages at St Anthony's College. His previous outreach efforts include volunteering with prison inmates and special needs children, and he hopes to strive for a more just and peaceful world. His mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is Philippe Sands, QC, Professor of Law at UCL.

Karen is a Rhodes Scholar from Zambia studying for an MBA at the Saïd School of Business. She recently graduated with a Master's in Public Policy from Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government, is an Affiliate of the ACCA, and also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy. Karen has worked for the World Bank, and as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche. She is interested in the intersection of business and government, the way in which both institutions bring about social change, and how the power they possess can be harnessed for the benefit of society. She is further interested in revenue management and taxation of extractive industries and how this can be used to drive growth in countries with the ‘resource curse’. Karen enjoys running, cycling and reading poetry. Karen’s mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is leading businesswoman and private equity investor, Temi Olatunde.

As a public policy student at the Blavatnik School of Government, Andrew's key interests concern moral decision-making and governance in Africa. Prior to beginning his studies in Oxford, Andrew worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Fraud Investigation and Dispute Analysis practices in London and Nairobi and studied for an MPhil in Criminological Research as a Cambridge University Commonwealth Trusts Scholar. In his spare time Andrews enjoys training for triathlons and playing rugby. Mentor: Jonathan Aitken - Political biographer and former Cabinet Minister.

Anna is in her first year of a DPhil in anthropology focusing on women directors in Hollywood and the nature of inequality within the industry. Originally from Montreal, Anna is a filmmaker and writer, with experience in communications and marketing. In the future Anna plans to continue producing documentary media (using video, photography, audio and text) to address topics that are absent from mainstream discourse. She loves rowing, cycling, and hanging out with her dog Hercules. Mentor: Alan Rusbridger - Former editor-in-chief of The Guardian

Caroline is a Blavatnik Family Foundation Scholar, studying for a MSt in Jewish Studies. Her particular interest lies in the intersection of moral and positive psychology and modern Jewish thought. She is beginning to explore whether aspects of Jewish thought and ritual may cultivate particular traits associated with long term success and well-being, such as grit, resilience, self-efficacy and emotional intelligence. Originally from New York, Caroline was previously a Fellow at the Schusterman Foundation in D.C., and participated in a social entrepreneurship fellowship in Israel. She also spent two years working at the private equity firm, Blackstone. Mentor: Alain de Botton - Philosopher, author, founder of the School of Life.

David is studying for a Masters in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. Before coming to Oxford David trained as a lawyer and worked as a political advisor in Australia under the Gillard and Rudd governments. David has also spent time working for the Democrats in New York and on anti-death penalty law in Texas. Mentor: Jonathan Powell - British Diplomat and Chief of Staff under Tony Blair.

Having completed a Masters of Public Policy, Diana is now beginning a DPhil in socio-legal studies. Before coming to Oxford Diana worked for the Colombian government and for NGOs researching and managing responses to issues of justice, human rights and democracy in Colombia. Mentor: Lord Alderdice - Senior Northern Ireland Politician.

Emily is in the third year of her DPhil in English Literature, focusing on the relationship between literature and knowledge. She is especially interested in how literature influences the approaches to living, and is involved in a research group that tries to assess that empirically. Before postgraduate study Emily lived in Lebanon where she worked as a journalist. Mentor: Rowan Williams - Former Archbishop of Canterbury.

Evan is in the first year of a DPhil in International Development focusing on refugee self-reliance. She has been working with urban refugees in Kampala, Uganda, for over five years, as co-founder and co-director of a grassroots non-profit organisation run with refugees. The organisation offers livelihoods training and other activities. Evan has a particular interest in the challenges of leadership in situations which involve working with those from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Mentor: Scilla Ellworthy - Peace builder, Nobel Prize nominee.

Before beginning the MBA programme as a Rhodes scholar, Heerden worked for a short time in wealth management in South Africa. A keen swimmer Heerden has gained world rankings and an Olympic appearance for his native South Africa. He has also travelled widely managing to visit 31 countries so far. Mentor: Ken Costa - Former Chariman of Lazard International.

Jingwen is studying for a Masters in Public Policy having gained her BA at Beijing Foreign Studies University. During her first degree Jingwen spent time as a visiting scholar at Columbia. Jingwen has gained a range of experience in research and intern roles, spending one summer in Geneva working for the UN on a climate change project. Mentor: Rosemary Foot - Former Professor of International Relations, Oxford.

Juan is currently half way through his DPhil studies in public policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. His research is in natural resource revenue management. Juan joined the School of Government having worked for two years in Colombia’s extractive sector, mainly in legal and corporate affairs. Prior to this he worked for a year and half as an adviser to the Colombian Minister of Justice, and for five years as lawyer associate at a leading law firm. When he returns to Colombia Juan hopes to become an effective leader who contributes to the objectives of reducing poverty and inequality gaps. He also loves dark chocolate, running, playing football, and meeting new people.

Quratulain is studying for a Masters in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. She is one of the first women Pakistan Airforce Officers, having served for eight years before joining the Civil Services of Pakistan. She has worked in service delivery in conflict ridden areas, in infrastructure and in human development, law and order. She is very passionate about empowering women and the preservation of the cultural and architectural heritage of Pakistan. She loves exploring new places and trying new foods.

Shea is a DPhil student working on 'nudge' interventions in public health. As a recipient of a Marshall Scholarship, Shea moved to the UK to pursue further social sciences research having completed his undergraduate degree at Georgetown in 2013. In recent years he has worked in research roles at the Department for Health and Imperial College London. Mentor: Andrew Dilnot - Chair of the UK Statistics Authority

Vinton was born in Hong Kong, but has lived in the UK for most of his life. After completing his core training as a medical doctor, Vinton spent his time as a registrar specialising in oncology. Vinton now works as a Clinical Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Radiation Oncology where he is completing his DPhil. Outside of work Vinton enjoys fencing and martial arts. Mentor: Tim Maughan - Professor of Clinical Oncology, Oxford.

Zahra is studying for a Masters in Public Policy. Before beginning her studies at Oxford Zahra spent time working on campaigns for the National Union of Students, studying community reconciliation and working on NGO projects in Bangladesh and Malta. She hopes to continue to contribute to work on community cohesion, minority engagement and conflict mitigation. Mentor: Margaret Beckett - Britain's first female Foreign Secretary.

Alice came to Oxford from New Zealand in 2014 as a Rhodes Scholar. She is currently working towards an MSc in Economics for Development and plans to study for a Master of Public Policy degree in 2015. Born in Beijing but raised in Auckland Alice has previously worked as a judge’s clerk at the Supreme Court of New Zealand and also as a research assistant for the Centre of Applied Research in Economics, focusing on child abuse and health economics. She is fascinated by the question of what makes communities flourish, and so hopes to combine her interest in community well-being with work on education and social welfare policy in the future. Alice is a classical and jazz trained pianist and once an aspiring conductor and composer. Her mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative is the British economist and peer in the House of Lords, Professor Alison Wolf.

Alissa de Carbonnel read for a Master of Public Policy at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, focusing on security, international development, and uses of open data for public sector reform. She is an experienced journalist, beginning her career in Moscow, where she spent seven years writing about Kremlin politics. Her reporting on the Ukraine crisis, the Islamist insurgency in Russia’s North Caucasus, the Georgia war, and other flash points shapes her interest in security, governance, and human rights. In London, she worked with Integrity Research and Consultancy, which delivers expert development services in conflict-affected and fragile environments. She holds a B.A. in Government from Cornell University and speaks French, Spanish, and Russian. Alissa was mentored as part of the Global Leadership Initiative by Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, Former Government Minister and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.

Arun came to Oxford in 2011 to study for a DPhil in Materials and will soon return to India to take up a role in Industry. His research has focused on nanomaterials which have potential in transparent flexible displays, as catalysts for hydrogen production and also been employed as spacecraft lubricant as they possess the lowest friction coefficient. Arun’s interest in science is combined with a desire to further society more widely through his work and future career. He is consummately personable and enjoys long discussions with friends, especially if good food is involved. 2015 is a significant year for Arun. He hopes to complete his DPhil in July, begin work in September, and get married in between. As part of the Global Leadership Initiative, Arun has been mentored by Professor Mike Clifford, Associate Professor of Engineering at Nottingham University.

Aurora came to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar having graduated from Harvard with a degree in Classics. She is currently pursuing an MPhil in Theology, having a particular interest in the ways in which theology can address questions of practical ethics. Aurora is a committed member of Oxford’s Catholic community and is currently compiling her reflections on student life into a book for high school students. She enjoys running and playing squash and is keen to pursue a career in business.

Ayushama is studying for an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy. Her particular research interest is the relationship between transnational justice and development. Ayushma was born and raised in Nepal before heading to Thailand’s Thammasat University to study International Relations and Politics. She loves meeting people from different parts of the world and exploring new places and cultures. Exploring different culinary cultures is a particular passion.

Benedict studied for an Oxford MPhil in political theory before going on to his doctorate. His work focuses on the challenge of encouraging dialogue between diverse religious and civic-secular traditions. Before coming to Oxford he studied history at the University of Melbourne, during which time he worked as a volunteer co-ordinator with the Melbourne Somali community. He has also spent time as a policy researcher in Brussels and the Balkans, researching forced migration routes to the EU. This involved interviewing forced migrants and government officials throughout the region, with a particular focus on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Croatia. He has spent two extended periods living and working in Russia and has written for various publications on Russian culture, literature and politics. His Global Leadership Initiative mentor is Jon Cruddas MP.

Daniel is studying towards an MBA at the Saïd Business School. Before coming to Oxford, he spent the last few years working for the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. His role focused on advising banks and Private Equity Funds in Europe, the US and South East Asia. Before that, he worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland in the Global Investment Banking Divsion and as an executive assistant to the German CEO. He studied Business and Economics in Germany and Hungary and holds a Master of Law degree. Daniel is actively involved in the Global Shapers community and is co-founder of the start-up conference 'NextB2B Forum'. He is an avid musician, enjoys classical concerts, and has a growing interest in psychology and neuroscience. Daniel has been mentored as part of the Global Leadership Initiative by Dr Ken Barnes, Associate Director of Oxford’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative.

David Wong De-Wei read for an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy at the Oxford Department for International Development. His research focused on the secret diplomacy between US and Iran. Before going to Oxford, David studied political science at the National University of Singapore concentrating on the role of culture and religion in democratisation, and spent some time at a public relations firm. David is currently working in the Singapore public service, handling trade and export promotion of Singapore's infrastructure industry. He was mentored as part of the Global Leadership Initiative by former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament, Jonathan Aitken.

Laura-Marie is in the final stages of her DPhil in economic geography at Oxford’s Smith School for Enterprise and the Environment. Her research focuses on financial reform in China, with an emphasis on capital market development. As a Clarendon Scholar, she received her MPhil in Political Economy from the University of Oxford and holds degrees in International Relations from the University of Manchester and Sciences Po Paris. Born in the former German Democratic Republic, Laura-Marie served as a policy analyst at the EU Commission and previously at the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe. Outside of work, Laura-Marie is a columnist for the Huffington Post and the Bergruen Institute on Governance, a keen runner and an active member of the Oxford University Chorus. Her Global Leadership Initiative Mentor is Rob Gifford of The Economist.

Melissa read for an Oxford MSc in Computer Science before going on to study for an MBA at the Saïd Business School. She is passionate about using technology and entrepreneurship to improve access to basic needs like water, energy, and healthcare as evidenced by her MSc thesis project—an online medical consultation platform for low resource areas, which is now being piloted in South Africa. While completing a BSc in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech, Melissa designed and piloted a water infrastructure system for post-disaster situations with the Red Cross in Chile. She has also worked as an engineer and business consultant in Latin America and Africa, developing a unique understanding of technology and infrastructure in emerging & developing markets. Her Global Leadership Initiative mentor is Mark Graham, lead on technology for development at the Oxford Internet Institute.

Penny holds degrees in economics and science and is undertaking a DPhil under the supervision of Professor Cameron Hepburn and Professor Doyne Farmer. She is interested in agent-based modelling, technological evolution, economic growth and sustainable development. Penny's research at Oxford is supported by the Institute of New Economic Thinking and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. Prior to joining INET, Penny worked as an economist in Australia, where she predominantly focused on issues relating to energy, resources and climate change. She was mentored as part of the Global Leadership Initiative by British economist and Warden of Nuffield College, Sir Andrew Dilnot.

Vuyane is a South African medical doctor and Rhodes Scholar, currently reading a DPhil at Oxford University. His focuses on mechanisms behind the cardiovascular system dysfunction during normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. He is the founder of the MH Foundation, an educational non-profit organization he founded with other young professionals in South Africa. The MH Foundation offers scholarships to 10 learners from poor backgrounds through a program of educational support, mentoring, personal and career development, and social responsibility. He has been awarded several honors, including the Ackerman Family Foundation Award for outstanding leadership, and the South African Medical Association Young Leaders Award. Vuyane is named amongst the Johannesburg-based Mail & Guardian newspaper’s Top 200 Young South Africans. Vuyane’s Global Leadership Initiative mentor was Ken Barnes, Associate Director of Oxford’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative.

Yuge is in the final year of a DPhil at Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, where her research explores energy and low-carbon technologies. Her particular focus is on the environmental policies of India and China and global energy governance. Over the course of her DPhil, Yuge has been a guest researcher with the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and Beijing (2011-2012), a Global Governance 2022 fellow (gg2022.net), an Avantha International Fellow 2013 with Aspen Institute (India), and a research associate with the Institute of Economic Growth and The Energy and Resource Institute in Delhi. Before Oxford, she was a special consultant to the Overseas Research and Development Centre of Panasonic in Japan. Before that, she spent one year as a graduate student at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. This experience led to the publication of Grow Up in India (Beijing, 2013), a book introducing contemporary India through the lens of a Chinese student. Yuge is also the co-founder of the Juxtapose Project, a research initiative focusing on contemporary India and China. Yuge has a two-year-old daughter, Boyang, and somehow still finds time to enjoy reading, film and time with friends. Her mentor as part of the Global Leadership Initiative has been Professor Ian Goldin, Director of the Oxford Martin School.