Alexander Yen

CV

Education

D.Phil. International Relations, University of Oxford (Current)

  • Built and analysed a self-constructed corpus of more than 2,000 U.N. General Assembly speeches (1970–2023) by China, India and the United States to examine how language reflects states’ attitudes to international order and policy preferences, and to derive implications for present and future trajectories.
  • Used Python-based text mining, sentiment analysis and regression modelling in R to link changes in rhetoric to geopolitical events and macroeconomic context.
  • Presented research at Association of Asian Studies Annual Conference and US Military Academy.

M.Phil. International Relations (Distinction), University of Oxford (2019–2021)

B.A. History and Politics (First-Class Honours), University of (2016–2019)

  • Wrote archival-based thesis on education policy in colonial Hong Kong (1913–1997).
  • Elected Demi-Fellow (scholarship) at Magdalen College; runner-up for H.W.C. Davis Prize (2nd in cohort).

Qualifications

Certified E.S.G. Analyst (C.E.S.G.A.), European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (2023)

Level 3 Certificate in Securities, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (2022)

Work Experience

Tutor in History and Politics, Oxford Academia (July 2023–July 2024)

  • Designed and delivered two seminar series for an Oxford-based residential summer programme for high-achieving pre-university students, using case studies and structured debate to develop their analytical and argumentation skills.
  • Adapted content and teaching style to cohorts with varied backgrounds, improving engagement and feedback across successive intakes.

Research Assistant, University of Oxford (August 2021–August 2022)

  • Constructed five multi-country education policy datasets and accompanying analytical reports for the EU-funded SCHOOLPOL project, extracting, cleaning and coding data from heterogeneous sources under tight deadlines in coordination with the project team.
  • Identified gaps and inconsistencies in existing data, proposed solutions and documented assumptions to support robust cross-country comparison

Vacation Scheme Intern, Slaughter and May (Hong Kong) (July–August 2019)

  • Produced a partner-level brief on commercial use-cases and risks of blockchain in the legal sector, synthesising technical and regulatory material into clear implications for the firm’s clients.
  • Supported a contentious probate matter by researching and explaining relevant international commercial and contract law to the supervising associate

Administrative Service Intern, Hong Kong SAR Government (July–September 2018)

  • Prepared detailed itineraries and briefing packs for ministerial-level visits and youth delegations to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, coordinating logistics across multiple government and external stakeholders.
  • Researched district affairs and government policy for senior officials and drafted briefing notes, District Council minutes and press releases.

Leadership and Voluntary Roles

Elected Head, Apollo University and St. Mary Magdalen Associations (Current)

  • Elected to strategic and ceremonial leadership of long-standing fraternal and charitable organisations in Oxford and London (Apollo 2022–2023, St. Mary Magdalen 2025–).
  • Set annual programme, oversaw governance and meetings, led and managed cross-generational cohort of ~20 officers and c. 300 members, and planned succession.
  • Managed media engagement (student+national); set and conveyed key messages on charitable contribution and member qualifications while protecting member and organisational confidentiality. Resulting coverage was positive and aligned with key messages.

Mentor and Merchandise Officer, Apollo Association (2024–Current)

  • Onboarded 20+ members per year through a structured mentoring programme, improving retention and building high-trust networks across students and alumni.
  • Restored three heritage merchandise lines and introduced two new products by re-sourcing suppliers at up to 80% lower cost; managed over £5,000 in procurements and an automated Python-based ordering and invoicing workflow.

Public Affairs Leadership, Oxford University Hong Kong Societies (2017-2018)

  • Led rebranding for the Oxford University Hong Kong Society, including new logo and web presence; co-wrote sponsorship pitches renewing all existing sponsors and securing two new sponsors; edited and co-wrote a 40th Anniversary booklet for donors.
  • Across two Hong Kong student societies, organised a four-day residential orientation camp for 34 incoming students and a two-day ‘Model Legislative Council’ simulation for 60+ students from more than ten universities, increasing attendance by c.20% on previous years.

Research Reports and Public Communication

Please see a list of public writing here.

Skills

Forecasting and Markets: Active forecaster on Metaculus since 2021 with 300+ forecasts on international politics, macroeconomics and technology; experienced in Bayesian reasoning and probabilistic scenario-building.

Analytical and Technical: Python, R (statistics), Github, Microsoft Office Suite (especially Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Publisher).

Finance: Knowledge of securities, markets, and E.S.G. integration gained through C.I.S.I. Level 3 Securities Certificate and Certified E.S.G. Analyst qualifications.

Languages: English (native), Chinese (native reading), Cantonese and Mandarin (native spoken), German (beginner)

Qualitative: Archival interface and reading, discourse analysis, speech coding, structured case comparison, memoranda drafting.

Project Management: ScrumAlliance Certified ScrumMaster (C.S.M.), Scrum.org Professional Scrum Product Owner (P.S.P.O.) I.