Video Speaker 19th February- Rotary Global Scholar Anson Tong

Anson is a recent graduate of Rice University in Houston Texas with a BA degree in Cognitive Sciences and Economics with a Distinction in Research. Her experience includes a spell working in China as a research analyst to create a comprehensive formal report on major challenges in the Chinese healthcare system and the future of healthcare innovation.

Anson Tong spoke to the club mainly about Behavioural Science which she is studying for a post-graduate degree at the London School of Economics.  Anson is hoping to pursue a career in a non-profit or government organisation after graduating.

Anson was speaking from Naperville (a suburb of Chicago, Illinois) where she lives.  The Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown has provided a scholarship to enable Anson to study in the UK.  She had been in London until January 2021 and at that time she returned to the USA due to the pandemic.

She described how Behavioural Science can be used to understand the way in which people decide how to lead their lives.  It could then encourage people to choose actions to improve their health particularly reducing inequalities.  

She mentioned the current pandemic and examples of individuals being influenced against vaccinations after reading about the rare and usually very minor adverse reactions which have been widely publicised.  

After her talk, there were many questions about the issues which she had raised.  The President of the Club mentioned that he was keen to discuss this subject for many hours, but the virtual meeting had to close after an hour.  Many thanks were offered to Anson by members of the Club.