Biography
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 the justice system in the United States.
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.
Beyond academia, Singh has made notable contributions, including winning the world's largest pageant becoming the National All-American Miss 2020-2023, authoring a best-selling children's book, and establishing The Serenity Project women's empowerment 501c3 nonprofit. She has collaborated with Mrs. Obama and the Girls Opportunity Alliance, advocating for girls' education. Singh's commitment to challenging stereotypes and promoting diversity is demonstrated through her historic Sikh advocacy at the University of Oxford. This includes organizing the first Sikh Langar to be held at the University, reciting the first Sikh prayer during a college formal grace, and bringing the first turbaned Sikh speaker to speak individually at the Oxford Union, the University's prestigious debating society.
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.