Alif Masron is an M.A. candidate in political science, concentrating in international relations and political economy. His research explores how global trade and financial systems shape state policy choices, particularly their implications for development and inequality. He is especially interested in the strategies middle-income economies use to navigate global markets dominated by larger powers, and in how policymakers balance economic openness with the need for resilience. His work emphasizes quantitative approaches to international political economy as a way to connect theoretical debates with concrete policy outcomes. By bridging scholarship and practice, he aims to contribute to Malaysia’s economic governance in the years ahead.
Mr. Masron earned his B.A. from Columbia University, graduating with a double major in political science and economics. He is a Kijang Scholar sponsored by Bank Negara Malaysia (the Central Bank of Malaysia) and has held policy internships with both the Bank and the Ministry of Health Malaysia, contributing research on international trade, health policy, and digital governance. At Columbia, he also serves as a teaching assistant for Principles of Quantitative Political Research I.
