Tim Van Laere (MPP 2024) came to the Master of Public Policy with a background in business economics and data-driven policymaking. Originally from Belgium, Tim’s undergraduate studies in business economics sparked a fascination with macroeconomics and economic policy. That early interest stayed with him as he entered the professional world, first through a stint at Deloitte and then at a corporate rating agency – a seemingly unlikely step toward public policy, but a pivotal one.
"You might think, what does that have to do with public policy? But at a corporate rating agency, they have data on quite every single business in Belgium… For governments, that’s a gold mine." There, Tim worked on urgent and high-impact policy issues, including economic modelling during COVID-19. This reinforced a key realisation: data, when used effectively, can shape economic responses with real-world consequences for people and businesses.
It was in 2021 that he learned about the MPP, through a Flemish government scholarship targeting students admitted to top global programmes. The timing and purpose aligned: "Given the work I was doing… I realised I should diversify and learn more about public policy." Oxford stood out for its academic rigour, one-year format and its European base – all important to Tim’s long-term aspirations.
The experience, he says, has far exceeded expectations. "I never thought I would learn so much about foreign policy and geopolitics… it has been super interesting."
One of the most transformative aspects has been the people. "I never thought I would meet so many interesting people from so many different backgrounds," Tim says. With a cohort drawn from over 60 countries, he found that informal conversations, collaborative projects and shared experiences created an unexpected and lasting education in themselves. "There’s been a lot of latent learning going on… I’m sure that in 10 years I’ll look back and say, that really transformed my way of thinking."
Academically, the programme opened new doors. Tim highlights ‘Politics of Policymaking’ taught by Professors Maya Tudor and Janina Dill as a standout, particularly for its blend of political theory and real-world implications. He also points to ‘New Economic Thinking’, taught by Professor Eric Beinhocker, as a course that fundamentally challenged his assumptions.
"It flips your thinking just 180 degrees… it gives you tools for certain issues that you might not have come across before."
Tim adds how he appreciated how the programme layered technical, practical and personal learning. "The programme is a concentric circle… you get the opportunity to go more deeply into very technical matters… then you have courses on how to actually transform [that] into policy… and around that, you have the more professional and personal development."
Guest speakers at the School also left an impression. A highlight for Tim was the chance to meet the former Prime Minister of Belgium – not just in a lecture, but over lunch. "It’s just surreal", he reflects.
Beyond academics, Tim embraced the wider MPP experience – from cultural nights to weekend trips and plenty of cohort-led initiatives. "Oxford is a very intense place and there’s always something going on… we like to go out with the group and that’s definitely a lot of fun… it’s quite a tight-knit community."
While he originally planned to return immediately to Belgium and resume his work, the MPP experience reshaped his thinking.
"Now you come here, you meet all these people. You learn about all these contexts. You realise there’s so much more to the world than you thought."
Today, he is leaning more toward a future in politics: "I care about economics and it is just such a fundamentally important tool to change people’s lives. My options have definitely expanded because of the MPP programme."
His advice to prospective students? Focus on coherence and clarity. "Know and own your story. When I came here, I knew I wanted to understand more about the policy process and economic policy. And I clearly know why I want to do it."
And to future students arriving at the School, he offers one final reflection: "The moment you come here, just use whatever opportunity you have and give 100% from the start."