Stephen Milne

Stephen Milne was a distinguished political scientist and Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he founded the Department of Political Science. He held academic positions at institutions including the University of Wellington (New Zealand), National University of Singapore, University of Bristol, and University of the Hague, alongside roles in the Philippines. His expertise focused on Southeast Asian politics, particularly Malaysia and Singapore, with notable works like Malaysian Politics under Mahathir and Singapore: The Legacy of Lee Kuan Yew. Alongside Hugh Mackenzie, he pioneered exit poll methodologies to predict UK general election outcomes in 1951 and 1955.

Education: Graduated from Oxford University. Awards: Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1980. He passed away on May 31, 2014, survived by Diane Mauzy, Emeritus Professor in UBC's Political Science Department.

Research Contributions: Specialized in Southeast Asian governance, political leadership, and electoral systems. His work provided foundational insights into the political dynamics of Malaysia and Singapore, blending historical analysis with contemporary institutional studies.

Legacy: As founding head of UBC’s Political Science Department, he shaped its academic trajectory. His methodological innovations in exit polling remain influential in political science research.