As the world, and Israel included, is going through trends of populism, radicalism and loss of public trust in the system, I see public policy education as key to helping reverse the tide. In previous years I dealt mostly with defence policymaking, but my growing wish is to start addressing sociopolitical challenges affecting societies nowadays. This time is an opportunity to gain perspectives on issues close to my heart: promoting better social and welfare policies, rehabilitating public trust in the political system, and nurturing partnerships between different communities.

I served in the IDF as vice head of the US-Israel Strategic Planning Desk, and finished service as a Captain-ranked officer. I hold an MA in political science from Tel Aviv University and a BA in sociology and media from the Open University of Israel, the latter studied mostly during high school. I am also a 2011 Bronfman Fellow and have been an Alumni Advisory Board member.

Ben Luria is a Rhodes Scholar.