MPhil Student Spotlight: Tyrese Bender

MPhil Student Spotlight: Tyrese Bender

Tyrese started the MPhil in Sociology and Demography in 2021, after receiving a Rhodes Scholarship. He is a member of Linacre College and is supervised by David Kirk. Tyrese previously studied a BSc in Engineering Management and is an Active Officer in the United States Army.

 

Tyrese Bender stands outside
Why study Sociology?

I was compelled to apply to study sociology and demography because for many of my research questions — touching on subjects such as class, ethnicity, gender, and social mobility — this course seemed a great way to observe and develop the frameworks, vocabulary, and statistical tools necessary to answer sociological puzzles associated with these topics. 

What first attracted you to the course at Oxford?

I was attracted not necessarily by any one particular thing, but by the breadth of things the Department has to offer.

Having the opportunity to interrogate a diverse set of social issues through theoretical and empirical inquiry, no less from seasoned professors who have spent a lifetime doing the same, was an incredibly enticing and humbling prospect — one that I am glad to have taken up.

What have you enjoyed most about studying within Oxford's Sociology department?

As a student, I have particularly enjoyed the seminars hosted within the Department each week. Researchers come from near and far to share their projects with us, and their unique sociological/methodological insights have never failed to expand my understanding of the social sciences. 

What I like most about my course is its comprehensive curriculum. Whether you are like me and are entirely new to the social sciences, or are instead looking to deepen your social science skills even further, the course offers a multitude of academic opportunities to accommodate the diverse range of students. 

What do you enjoy the most about living in Oxford? 

Oxford is a wonderful city to live and study in. I particularly enjoy its surprisingly communal atmosphere. Cafes, nature-filled walks, and serendipitous run-ins with course mates and friends remind even the most ardent students to find relaxation and companionship amidst a city centuries old. 

What are you currently working on?

My thesis intends to investigate whether employers discriminate against US veterans when hiring. I will do so through an experimental audit study, whereby I submit resumes to job openings in the United States labour market.

The questions I seek to answer include: to what extent do employers discriminate against individuals previously employed by the US Army? Do veteran hiring outcomes differ based on gender?

Further, as informed by the recent and contentious US troop withdrawal, do veteran hiring outcomes differ based on deployment experience in Afghanistan? And how do these factors all interact to produce differentials in hiring outcomes?

What piece of advice would you give to prospective students?
I would advise prospective students to continually interrogate their research questions whilst remaining open to change.
It is certainly important that you communicate your unique convictions to the department within your application, but it is equally essential that you leave room to update these questions.
If my experience is any indication, Oxford students will certainly encounter surprising intellectual growth, new ideas, and exciting perspectives that, should you remain open to them, can only bolster the quality of your academic contributions.
What do you hope to do when you finish your course?

I will return to the United States to serve as an Army Officer after I finish my course. As a military practitioner, I hope to leverage the sociological insights gained through the MPhil to help establish practices that improve the lived experience of active and retired military service members. 

You can get in touch with Tyrese via email.