Alexander Betts is a well-known academic and expert in refugee studies and international affairs. He studied at Durham University, where he earned First Class Honours in Economics. His interest in refugee work began during his undergraduate studies when he volunteered at a reception centre for asylum seekers in the Netherlands, which shaped his views on the challenges faced by displaced individuals. He continued his education at the University of Oxford, earning an MPhil with distinction and a DPhil. At 26, he became the Rose Junior Research Fellow in International Relations at Lady Margaret Hall and later held the position of Hedley Bull Research Fellow in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Wadham College. Currently, he is a Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs at the University of Oxford, where he also directs the Refugee Studies Centre and serves as a William Golding Senior Fellow in Politics at Brasenose College. His research focuses on the political economy of refugee protection and refugees' access to socio-economic rights, with extensive fieldwork conducted across Africa and Europe. He has authored 12 books and over 100 scholarly publications, including significant works like "Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System" and "The Wealth of Refugees: How Displaced People Can Build Economies." He has received many accolades, including being named one of Foreign Policy's top 100 global thinkers in 2016 and recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. In addition to his academic work, he has co-founded the Oxford SDG Impact Lab and the Refugee-Led Research Hub. He is also active in public engagement, with TED talks viewed by over 3 million people and contributions to major publications. In his free time, he enjoys long-distance running and coaching youth football.