David He

Politics, power, and institutions under pressure.

My work has taken me across Canadian politics, diplomacy, and international affairs: from federal policy discussions in Ottawa to multilateral negotiations at the G20 and public diplomacy at Canada’s embassy in Copenhagen.I’m interested in political institutions, and how governments respond when societies become more divided or the international order shifts. That interest has shaped my work on federalism, international security, democratic participation, and geopolitical change.I studied sociology at Bates College and spent a year at St Peter’s College, Oxford, studying politics and sociology through the tutorial system. My thesis examined populist movements and Canadian federalism. At Oxford, my work focused on political extremism, state legitimacy, the Middle East, and British politics.I’m most at home where analysis meets action: understanding a difficult political problem, navigating competing interests, and figuring out what can actually be done.

Personal website. Views and options expressed on my pages do not reflect the official opinions of the organizations I am involved with.

Highlights

  • Government of Canada: policy advice and national consultations with the Prime Minister’s Youth Council

  • Embassy of Canada in Denmark: research and briefings on Canada-Denmark relations, and public diplomacy

  • G20/Y20 India: negotiated and co-drafted multilateral policy language with delegates from 20+ countries.

  • United Nations: contributed to Human Rights 75 and delivered remarks at UN Headquarters

  • Wilton Park: speaker and participant on democratic participation, human rights and human security

Recognition & Elsewhere

Recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, BC Achievement Community Award, and Neil J. Armstrong Aviation Award.I’ve spoken at the United Nations, Wilton Park, Yale University, and other gatherings on public policy, civic participation, and international affairs.Outside politics, I’m a licensed private pilot and DJ. I’ve travelled widely across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America... usually interested in what politics looks like beyond the conference room.