Recent LSE graduate selected for prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship

LSE graduate Sung Jae Harry Park has been selected as part of the eleventh cohort of Schwarzman Scholars. The programme is a prestigious and highly competitive graduate fellowship, offering scholars the opportunity to study global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

Harry, who is currently serving as Military Security Observer in the Republic of Korea Army, was chosen to be part of the Schwarzman Class of 2026-27 from a pool of over 5,800 candidates worldwide. Applicants were sought for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership qualities and the potential to foster cross-cultural understanding.

Reflecting on his decision to apply for the fellowship, Harry shared an urge to pursue his academic interest in universal political and social dynamics. “I had been somewhat passive in engaging with perspectives beyond my immediate environment”, he said, highlighting that his time in the UK provided him deep exposure though only to one national context. “This reflection motivated me to look outward—particularly towards China, my most distant neighbour”, he added.

As part of this programme, Harry will gain exposure to China through mentoring, internships, and experiential learning, in addition to support for career development. He aims to study how China addresses complex governance and security challenges by examining innovations in its public management strategies, which he notes remains under-explored in the Anglo-speaking literature. Beyond this, he is passionate about tackling political violence and the political sociology of Asia, intending to apply his insights from the programme across multilateral settings in the future.

Having graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Politics from LSE, Harry credits the school’s rigorous academic training, mentorship and a truly international environment for inspiration to apply for Schwarzman Scholars.

“During my time as a parliamentary intern for Mark Logan, former MP for Bolton North East and an LSE alumnus, I gained firsthand exposure to UK–East Asia relations and the complexities of cross-regional engagement. That experience, combined with LSE’s emphasis on global leadership and public service, inspired me to pursue a programme dedicated to bridging countries, cultures, and people—an ethos I aim to carry forward as a Schwarzman Scholar.”

Harry has previously also studied sociology at the University of Oxford and gained practical experience working on minority rights at the British Red Cross, national cohesion initiatives in the UK Parliament, and international protection at the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. As an active researcher, he has formerly been affiliated with the LSE Department of Government, the UK House of Commons, and the World Federation of United Nations Associations.

Offering advice to the programme’s future applicants, he said: “Schwarzman Scholars occupy a unique position as external advisors and friends to China, with a responsibility to help shape narratives that prioritise cooperation over division. This role is grounded in honesty, openness to learning, and a willingness to engage with critique”.

This, he concluded, requires staying true to one’s personal mission and vision, approaching perspectives different from one’s own with fairness when they are merited, and remaining optimistic about the future of the global community.

For more information about Schwarzman Scholars visit: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/