Kevin Wang

DPhil Migration Studies 2019
MCR President 2022–2023

Kevin’s family hails from the ancient capital of Xi’an and the remote village of Qishan in China. However, he was born and raised in Scotland, where exposure to both Chinese and Scottish cultures shaped his interests. This dual influence led him to study Human Geography at King’s College London, Chinese Studies at Hertford College, Oxford, and Natural Resource Management at Beijing Normal University, before returning to Oxford to pursue a DPhil at Keble College.

Supported by the ESRC Grand Union DTP Scholarship, Kevin’s research, under the supervision of Michael Keith and Anna Lora-Wainwright, focuses on urban futures and the design of future cities, specifically exploring Xiong’an, a city south of Beijing that exemplifies new Chinese urbanism. His work aims to deepen our understanding of how cities might evolve, striving for development that respects historical legacies while building a fairer, more inclusive future. Kevin currently lectures in Geography at Jesus College.

As part of the Keble MCR committee, Kevin focused on rebuilding the College community post-lockdown to that of its pre-lockdown glory. He emphasizes that these accomplishments were only possible through the support and collaboration of his peers, colleagues and friends in the Keble MCR, including Ellie Falkingham, Natalia Hong, Youri Tamitegama, Emma Wilson, Chrishen Gomez, David Hochhauser, Jeanne Inchauspé, Max, Udai, Ed Shellard, Laura Haas and Emanuele Prezioso.

“There are too many people to thank at Keble—especially the Research Fellows, staff offices, catering, and Lodge teams,” Kevin says. “I’m particularly grateful to Ali Rogers, Freddy, Charles, and Ian Archer for supporting our projects in College. Keble has truly been a home—a place to fully engage and grow. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

As a person of Scottish Chinese heritage, he envisions a future naturally shaped by both cultures. With experience in academic publishing on issues related to China, he hopes to pursue research that deepens mutual understanding between the two countries.