The John Locke Essay Competition, hosted by Oxford University, aims to nurture the growth of young minds and cultivate the qualities of outstanding writers among participants. These qualities include the promotion of independent thought, the deepening of knowledge, the honing of critical analysis skills and the refinement of persuasive writing style.
In this prestigious competition, students are presented with a unique opportunity to explore a wide array of thought-provoking questions in seven subject areas that go well beyond the boundaries of their standard school curriculum. It encourages students to think independently and critically, fostering intellectual growth and personal development.
The essay competition is open to students from around the world and this year saw 19,000 candidates across seven categories – a great majority of submissions were of a very high standard but only the very best were shortlisted. All essay submissions were judged by a panel of senior academics drawn from Oxford and Princeton.
One notable participant and TCS student, Alicia Wang, demonstrated remarkable achievement by becoming a shortlisted-finalist in the Economic subject category. As a finalist, Alicia was invited to attend the John Locke Institute’s Award Dinner and Academic Conference in England last month.
Alicia’s choice of essay topic was particularly intriguing; she selected question #3, which asked, “What would happen if we banned billionaires?” This topic, undoubtedly, delves into the heart of contemporary economic and social debates, requiring students to apply their skills in critical analysis and persuasive writing to provide well-structured arguments and thought-provoking insights. Alicia’s response demonstrated the nuances and importance of answering this question from multiple perspectives. She highlighted the key role government oversight and international collaboration regarding taxation laws have to ensure that the financial contributions of the most affluent among us are harnessed as a vital resource to fortify overarching societal wellbeing.
Alicia’s achievement as a finalist highlights the depth of talent and intellect that the competition attracts, and underscores the Locke Institute’s commitment to nurturing young scholars who engage with complex, real-world issues through their writing. The competition serves as a platform for students like Alicia to refine their skills, expand their horizons, and contribute to the intellectual discourse on pressing societal questions.
The TCS social sciences department extends its heartfelt congratulations to Alicia for her remarkable achievement.
- By Shannon Rauh-Wasmund, social sciences faculty
