Kenneth Oye

Kenneth Oye

he/him
Political Science
Making research a quest

“Intelligent, caring, inspiring, and full-of-wisdom,” one of his students commended, “Professor Kenneth Oye has every great quality one can ask for in a professor, a lecturer, and a mentor.”

Oye is a Professor of Political Science (School of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences) and Data Systems and Society (School of Engineering) as well as the Director of the Program on Emerging Technologies (PoET). His work revolves around international relations, political economy and technology policy. His current work in technology policy centers on adaptive management of risks associated with synthetic biology and pharmaceuticals and on equity in health policy.

Oye has been selected as a recipient of the Committed to Caring award for 2023-2025. He is a natural instructor, influential advisor, and considerate mentor.

Inspiring advisor

Oye teaches with clear and easy-to-follow language filled with personal stories and rich experiences. His lectures are interactive and engaging so that students can truly internalize the material. His students learn with curiosity and intent.

A nominator shared that Oye encourages his students to investigate broadly. Oye offers  frequent advice on improvements in research design and shared analysis techniques; “he acknowledged my effort and ideas,” the nominator shared, “but also always encouraged me to explore further.” 

The student added that parts of their dissertation were challenging, but Oye transformed it into an enjoyable intellectual quest.

Caring mentor

Oye emphasizes that he cares about the work that is produced; however, he equally attends to his students as individuals. He consistently starts weekly meetings with check-ins and concerns himself with each of his student’s well being and personal development. 

Students feel comfortable to come to Oye when they need to share their strife and seek counsel. The nominator remarked that “the past two years of mentorship built so much trust that when I faced some personal challenges outside of class, Ken was the first person I thought of that I could share my struggles with safely and ask for advice.” 

As an instructor, an advisor, and as a mentor, Oye has helped his students learn and grow beyond the classroom. 

One of his students praised, “Oye’s truly a gem to learn from and work with, and I believe he has been a great asset to MIT’s generations of students.”