Political Science student wins Rhodes scholarship

November 26, 2015

James Flynn, currently pursuing an honours bachelor of arts in economics and political science at Trinity College, is one of three students from U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science heading to the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar in October, 2016.

A Newfoundland native, Flynn’s research interests lie in Chinese politics and he is currently working on a senior thesis that analyses the impact of Chinese state interests on the country’s equity markets, under the supervision of Political Science Professor Dr. Lynette Ong.

At Oxford he plans to pursue a Master of Science in Social Science of the Internet followed by a Master of Public Policy the following year. Enthusiastic about his impending travels, he said he was really looking forward “to the outstanding curricular and co-curricular opportunities that Oxford provides. The MSc in Social Science of the Internet degree program is very unique – there are very few academic departments in the world engaged in the study of the Internet from a social science perspective.”

Asked about how his undergraduate degree has prepared him for his studies abroad he said that one of the best things about studying at the University of Toronto “is the breadth of curricular opportunities. The Bachelor of Arts degree gives students the flexibility to take courses in a wide range of fields, no matter their major. This has helped me develop a broad-based perspective on global issues. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to study under truly outstanding Political Science Professors, like Dr. Kanta Murali and Dr. Lynette Ong, who have expanded my interests and helped me develop academically.”

James was the previous news editor of The Varsity and he is currently serving as online editor of the paper. He is the founder of Code NL, an initiative dedicated to improving computer education in his home province, and every week he spends some time tutoring and mentoring underprivileged students with Project: Universal Minds.

The other Oxford bound students are Jessica Phillips of University College, a specialist in ecology and evolutionary biology with a major in biodiversity and conservation biology and a minor in psychology and Kaleem Hawa a double major in international relations and global health, also from Trinity College.