Scott Singer
BA Chicago MPhil Oxon
Research Topic:
I am a DPhil candidate in International Relations at Balliol College, University of Oxford. My dissertation explores the relationship between emerging technologies like AI and foreign policy from a public opinion perspective, using a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. My papers address three-interrelated questions: First, which factors influence public attitudes toward foreign policy in the tech sphere? Second, how do changes in technology impact public attitudes in key national security areas? Lastly, how do long-term risks emerging from technological competition affect public opinion? These questions are explored empirically in three key cases – Taiwan, Israel, and the UK – using natural experiments, survey experiments, and various interview methods. My research is generously funded by the Clarendon Scholarship and Balliol College Marvin Bower Scholarship.
In addition to my DPhil work, I am the co-founder and director of the Oxford China Policy Lab, an interdisciplinary hub of China-focused research based at the University of Oxford. My team and I produce policy-relevant research to mitigate long-term risks for third countries resulting from US-China great power competition, including for the UK Parliament.
I previously obtained a BA with Honours in Economics and Fundamentals: Issues and Texts from the University of Chicago and MPhil with Distinction from St Antony's College, Oxford.
Select Awards
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Clarendon Scholarship
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Balliol College Marvin Bower Scholarship
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National Bureau of Asian Research Chinese Language Fellow
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Howell Murray Alumni Association Award
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Departmental Honors, Fundamentals: Issues and Texts
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Maroon Key Society Inductee
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Phillip Ng Foreign Language Acquisition Grant for East Asia
Languages
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English (native)
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Mandarin (estimated C1)
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Spanish (estimated B2)
Research
My substantive interests include:
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Emerging technology and AI
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International security
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Public opinion
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Political economy
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Political violence
I am particularly interested in the following contexts:
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US-China bilateral relations
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Third countries navigating US-China relations
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Cross-strait relations
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Israel-Palestinian conflict

Publications
Editor-Reviewed Articles
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"Britain's Golden Era with China is Truly Dead." With Sam Hogg. Foreign Policy. September 23, 2022.
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"3 Reasons to Ignore that Twitter (or Weibo) Poll: A Guide for China Watchers." US-China Perception Monitor. August 10, 2022.
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“How Universal Basic Income Can Advance the United States’ China Strategy.” With Ben Silvian. The Diplomat. November 8, 2021.
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“Diplomacy Under Different Rules: How an NGO Dictates American Diplomacy in Taiwan.” With Rachel Bernstein. The Diplomat. September 24, 2021.
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“How the Milk Tea Alliance Is Remaking Myanmar.” With Jasmine Chia. The Diplomat, July 23, 2021.
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“How the Milk Tea Alliance Has Succeeded, and Why It May Fail.” With Jasmine Chia. Fulcrum, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, December 23, 2020.
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“The New ‘Worldmakers’: How the 20th Century Black Anticolonial Dialogue Reveals the Strategic Importance of the Milk Tea Alliance.” With Jasmine Chia. Oxford University Politics Blog, Department of Politics and International Relations – Oxford, November 30, 2020.
Podcasts
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“OxPol Blogcast Episode 2: The Milk Tea Alliance.” With Chase Harrison and Jasmine Chia. Oxford University Politics Blog Podcast, Department of Politics and International Relations – Oxford, December 14, 2020.