Born and raised in Hong Kong, Justin completed an MPhil in Economic and Social History at Cambridge before continuing to a PhD in History here as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. Before the MPhil, Justin graduated with BA in History summa cum laude from Harvard College.

Your journey to Cambridge

Can you tell us about your personal journey to Cambridge and what life for you looked like before you joined the University?

Prior to returning to Cambridge for my PhD, I worked in the corporate world in Hong Kong. I look back at that time fondly and feel like I have carried many skills I learnt during that period of work experience into my studies, especially with regards to teamwork, leadership, and time management. Before that, I completed an MPhil in Economic & Social History here in Cambridge as well. I have greatly enjoyed the postgraduate community in the Faculty, and benefit very much from the diverse expertise of Faculty members.

Life at Eddies

Can you tell me about your research?

My PhD project examines the contours of Black-Asian solidarity in late-twentieth century Britain. I think about how Afro-Caribbean, South Asian, and East Asian migrant communities that chose to settle in the UK interacted, organised, and challenged one another in the face of acute and systematic racial prejudice and violence. Employing both archival and oral history methods, I seek to trace shared spaces of activism and expression, in political, cultural, and artistic realms, while also considering how issues of gender and sexuality figured in the fight for racial equity. Through this work, I hope to encourage historians, more broadly, to interrogate solidarity as an analytical category, and to consider with more intention what we mean when we say that communities are standing in solidarity with one another.

What motivated you to choose your field of study?

I feel particularly lucky to have had two very kind, patient, and nurturing history teachers in secondary school, who instilled in me the passion for historical inquiry. When I graduated, one of them gifted me an academic history book and left a message inside, which said that she looked forward to the day that she would be able to read a similar book of mine. That has been a huge inspiration since. I also continue to be motivated by what I see as the enduring potential that history has – as a discipline – to speak powerfully to pressing issues we face in the present day, whether that be on issues of labour, race, capitalism, climate, or beyond.

Can you share a memorable experience from your time at St Edmund’s College so far that has had a significant impact on you?

I learnt to row last year as a novice with St Edmund’s College Boat Club. This was much to the surprise of anyone who would have known me growing up – as I had never found even remote success with any kind of sport, let alone a team sport. The congenial, welcoming, and socially oriented nature of the club was a huge draw, and being able to represent Eddies at both sets of bumps races last year was highly memorable. Now as Men’s Captain of the club for 2024-25, I am excited to give back to the community alongside my great Vice-Captains and to train a new crop of rowers who, too, might have never thought such a feat possible!

How has attending St Edmund’s College enabled you to thrive? Can you share a project, research endeavour, or extracurricular activity you are involved in that you find especially rewarding or impactful?

For the past half year, I have served as Orientation Co-Director on the Gates Cambridge Scholars’ Council, which represents all the Gates Cambridge Scholars in residence. In this role, I worked with my wonderful fellow Co-Director to plan all the welcome activities for the new class of over 70 Scholars, which included an Induction Day in Cambridge and a weekend trip full of outdoor activities and cultural experiences in the Peak District. This sort of community-building work has been incredibly rewarding, especially in being able to support so many international students to begin to find their footing in this institution. Such work of course resonates with the extremely global community we have here at St Edmund’s, which is absolutely one of our strengths.

Shaping the future

What values are you learning at St Edmund’s College and how do you think your experiences at Cambridge are shaping you as a person?

Being at St Edmund’s has taught me a lot of about the power of a ‘can-do’ spirit, as well as about the strength of diversity. With us being a relatively younger Cambridge college, I have seen close up how Eddie’s students organise for one another, and create the communities that they hope to see in college spaces. The energy that each new cohort brings with them, and the lasting impact they hope to have on our college community is really meaningful to witness. Beyond this, our extremely international character is also a huge advantage – and to have created such a globally-minded group of Scholars here, each with their own unique journey to Cambridge, is something St Edmund’s should take great credit for.

What advice would you give prospective students thinking of choosing St Edmund’s College?

Keep thinking about how your work and your research has the potential to have impact on communities near and far. While an excellent place to grow academically and do research, Cambridge can often feel insular. And I always feel really hopeful when I get to have conversations with fellow researchers about how they feel like their work might contribute to the ‘betterment’ of wider society, even if just a little bit at a time.

Considering applying for a PhD at St Edmund’s College? Get in touch with our Admissions Office today to find out more.