Serene Singh is a Rhodes Scholar pursuing a Doctoral degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford. Her research centers on the experiences of women on death row in the United States, focusing on topics of femininity, gender identity, and life in confinement. With a commitment to understanding their material realities, Singh aims to contribute to academic knowledge and recommend reforms for this marginalized population.
Singh’s dedication to women’s rights and justice system improvement is exemplified by her nonprofit work, empowering women to build confidence and raise their voices. She holds a Master’s postgraduate degree in Public Policy from Oxford, where she was the youngest student in a global cohort. As a Truman Scholar, Fulbright recipient, and Boettcher Scholar, Singh graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Colorado, with a minor in Leadership Studies.
Outside of academia, Singh has made significant contributions to youth development and social impact causes. Serving as a Dalai Lama Fellow and a project development coach for the Renee Crown Wellness Institute, she provides one-on-one support to fellows in ideating, designing, and executing their passion projects for global change. Singh’s accomplishments include winning the title of National All-American Miss 2020-2023, authoring the acclaimed children’s book “The Queen Machine,” and establishing The Serenity Project, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on empowering marginalized women through fashion shows and confidence coaching. She has also collaborated with Mrs. Obama and the Girls Opportunity Alliance, advocating for girls’ education. Singh’s dedication to challenging stereotypes and promoting diversity is evident in her historic Sikh advocacy efforts at the University of Oxford, where she organized the first Sikh Langar and invited the first turbaned Sikh speaker to the Oxford Union.
Serene hopes to propel her extensive academic background, research focus on women on death row, dedication to advocacy, and involvement in impactful initiatives to pursue a career in justice and civil rights in the United States upon completing her Ph.D. from Oxford University.
