Ramsay Scholars

Liam Cain is an historian and linguist from rural Victoria. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Diploma in Languages from the University of Melbourne, for which he was awarded First Class Honours, the Dwight and A.R. Chisholm prizes, and was included on the Dean’s List. He also holds a Master’s in French History from Oxford, winning the prize for best dissertation in Modern European History. Passionate about languages, he is fluent in French and Spanish. A Knight of the Order of Malta, Liam volunteers with the poor in Melbourne, as well as working remotely as a strategic advisor and tutor. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Liam will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in History at Oxford, exploring post-Napoleonic diplomatic history, with a focus on the Order of Malta’s institutional survival and renewal as a flexible, non-state actor across the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In the future, Liam aspires to a career in academia and consulting.

Hadrian Cairns is an early career historian from Springbrook Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland, Queensland. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Queensland, a Master of Letters in Philosophy from the University of St Andrews, Scotland and a Master of Science in Intellectual History from the University of Edinburgh. His research spans the intellectual history of early modern British political thought, but he also retains interest in Enlightenment thinkers’ solutions to ongoing debates within moral and political philosophy. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Hadrian will study for a Doctor of Philosophy in History at Oxford, examining the exchange of ideas between anatomy and civil science in Britain during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries – a once ubiquitous intellectual relationship facilitated by the traditional concept of the body politic. Hadrian ultimately aims to pursue a career in academia, through which he hopes to shed light on the interdisciplinary origins of modern-day political, social, economic and biological assumptions.

Joseph Christensen is a researcher and public servant who grew up on the Gold Coast and is currently employed as an economist and policy analyst at the federal Productivity Commission. He achieved First Class Honours in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at The University of Queensland and was awarded the Richard W. Staveley and Margaret Cribb memorial prizes for highest overall performance in his degree and in political science courses. Supported by his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, he will undertake an MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History at the University of Cambridge. During his study overseas, he will seek to illuminate the relationship between economics and distributive justice by researching the historical and theoretical foundations of influential theories of income distribution. In the future, he hopes to advance well-reasoned, principled public policies to meaningfully improve people’s socio-economic outcomes and opportunities. Outside of work Joseph enjoys singing as a member of the reigning men’s national silver medallist barbershop chorus.

Bethany Conroy is a process engineer and machine learning researcher from Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical Process Engineering from the Queensland University of Technology, graduating with First Class Honours and multiple Dean’s List awards, and a Master of Philosophy in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence from Cambridge. Her research has focused on developing scalable generative machine learning methods for molecular simulation and predictive analytics for materials synthesis. Bethany currently works in Australia’s energy sector, applying these techniques to optimise industrial processes, and has received international recognition for her machine learning solutions in process engineering. An advocate for equitable participation in STEM, she is passionate about supporting Australia’s next generation of scientists and engineers. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, she will undertake a PhD in Engineering at Cambridge, investigating machine learning approaches to accelerate chemical simulation. In the future, Bethany hopes to advance the role of machine learning in engineering, helping to drive scientific discovery and industrial innovation.

Max Douglass is a policy analyst and law graduate originally from Port Adelaide. He graduated as valedictorian from his Bachelor of Economics (Advanced) at the University of Adelaide, and with First Class Honours and several prizes and scholarships in his Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne. He is currently an associate at the Federal Court of Australia. Before that, he was an economic analyst at the McKell Institute, a researcher at the Centre for Public Integrity, and an associate with the Solomon Islands National Judiciary. Max’s research has appeared in The Age, The Guardian, and The Australian, and been cited by State and Commonwealth parliaments and superior courts. In 2024, he addressed the Sydney Institute on national energy policy. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Max will study a Master of Law at Cambridge to develop deeper multidisciplinary expertise in industrial relations and public law. In the future, Max hopes to work as a barrister and in the union movement.

Will Ellerton is a jazz pianist and composer from Brisbane, whose work is grounded in jazz performance while seeking to expand its expressive and harmonic possibilities. He holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours from the Queensland Conservatorium, receiving the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence. His Honours explored new harmonic possibilities in jazz through microtonal tuning systems, extending the tonal palette available to improvisers. Developed in response to performance questions rather than purely theoretical inquiry, this work reflects his broader artistic interest in cultivating subtle gradations of colour that enhance expressive nuance in live music-making. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, he will study a Master of Arts (Performance) in Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, London, where he will refine his artistic voice through collaboration with leading performers and composers. Will’s long-term goal is to sustain an international performing career while contributing to the development of future musicians through mentorship in a conservatorium context, ensuring jazz remains both artistically rigorous and widely accessible.

Dr Jasmine Elliott is a psychiatry registrar based in Bendigo, Victoria. Growing up in regional and remote Australia, she witnessed how geography can limit access to care, inspiring her to address inequity through system reform. Her lived experience of mental illness has further shaped her belief in compassionate, community-led approaches to wellbeing. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Medical Science, Doctor of Medicine and Diploma of Liberal Arts from Monash University. Outside of clinical work, she serves as President of the Victorian Association of Psychiatry Trainees, Board Director at Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, and has supported reform through the Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Interim Regional Body. She also plays trumpet with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and the City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jasmine will study a Master of Science at Oxford, strengthening her capacity to design, evaluate and improve services that reduce mental health inequity across Australia.

Zan Fairweather is a public policy researcher from Brisbane. He graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, as the Economics Honours Medallist. He works as a researcher at the University of Chicago, designing incentives that channel private innovation toward problems that markets tend to neglect, such as novel treatments for neglected diseases and technologies to mitigate climate change. He was previously at the Reserve Bank of Australia, where he worked on policy research and regulatory reforms to address market failures in Australia’s financial system. Away from economics, Zan volunteers with the NSW SES as a Team Leader in the Alpine Search and Rescue Unit. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Zan will read for an MSc in Economics for Development at Oxford, continuing work on shaping markets towards addressing pressing social challenges in global health and development, demographic change and automation. In the future, Zan hopes to progress to a PhD in Economics.

Tom Frick is a public policy professional from Melbourne, with a strong interest in the development, structure, and future of democratic institutions within Western political systems. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, for which he won the Accounting Honours Medal, and a Master of Philosophy in Public Policy from the University of Cambridge. Currently he is working in the Australian Public Service in a policy implementation role across economic and climate change policy. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Tom will pursue a PhD in Politics and International Studies at Cambridge, in which he will explore the changing role of prime ministers and political leadership in Westminster political systems, and implications for the development and implementation of public policy. While working within the public service has been rewarding, Tom is ultimately interested in exploring broader and more complex questions about how democratic systems and political institutions are structured and continue to evolve.

Sybilla George is a researcher from Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in French Studies from the University of Melbourne. In 2025, Sybilla received the Nicholas and Elizabeth Slezak Scholarship to undertake research in French Polynesia for her Honours thesis, in which she studied socio-political mobilisations during the first decade of French underground nuclear testing in the Pacific (1975-1985). Fluent in French, Sybilla currently works as a bilingual French/English legal assistant and has volunteered in various positions with Melbourne French Theatre. Her freelance writing on defence and foreign affairs has been published by Crikey, Arena and the Young Diplomats Society. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Sybilla will undertake a Master in Political Science at Sciences Po’s School of Research in Paris, for which she will employ open-source methodologies to study contemporary nuclear politics. In the future, Sybilla intends to pursue a career in nuclear non-proliferation analysis and communications.

Isabella Gullifer-Laurie is a researcher, writer and educator from rural NSW. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Master of Arts (Research) in English from the University of Melbourne. Her Master’s thesis examined the journalism, criticism and fiction of American writers Joan Didion, Renata Adler and Elizabeth Hardwick. She has taught Australian literary history, presented her research at seminars and conferences, and has a strong interest in broadening public discussion of literary culture. Isabella regularly publishes essays and criticism with a focus on women’s artistic and writing practices. Her work has appeared in publications including the Sydney Review of Books, LA Review of Books, ArtReview, The Saturday Paper, The Monthly, The Guardian and Meanjin. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, she will commence a PhD in English at King’s College London, researching women artists and life writing from 1900 to the present. After her studies, Isabella hopes to teach and research while continuing to write and publish.

Jordan Klein is a physics and machine learning researcher from Melbourne. He holds a Bachelor of Science Advanced Research (Honours) with First Class Honours in physics from Monash University, earning multiple academic prizes, including awards for best thesis and the top rank across physics and astronomy. His research focuses on machine learning and nanophotonics, and he is particularly interested in how emerging technologies can be developed to remain effective and responsible. He has served as Project Manager of the Artificial Intelligence branch at Monash Deep Neuron and has presented at international defence exhibitions. He is also the co-founder of Dahlia’s Hope for PNH, a not-for-profit organisation supporting awareness and research into a rare blood disorder. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jordan will undertake a DPhil in Atomic and Laser Physics at Oxford, focusing on optical neural networks and the development of physically grounded computational systems. Post-study, Jordan hopes to apply his expertise in Australia and establish a sovereign AI laboratory.

Pantea Konn is a population health data analyst from Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Mathematics with First Class Honours from The University of Queensland, specialising in geometry and probability models. Alongside her studies, Pantea has led novel analyses into the performance of several cancer screening programs in the Queensland population. Her background in data engineering and statistics has enabled the delivery and evaluation of several large-scale quality improvement initiatives for these programs. Pantea has represented Queensland Health at national population health conferences, which deepened her interest in epidemiological research and health economics. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, she will be supported to pursue an MPhil in Population Health Sciences at Cambridge, to advance her training in health data science. In her research, she hopes to apply geometric techniques to biostatistical methods to better understand causal effects in population health challenges. Post-study, Pantea aims to lead epidemiological and economic evaluations of evolving population health programs and policies.

Dr Megan Landgraf is a medical registrar and aspiring endocrinologist who grew up in rural Queensland and Donegal, Ireland. She holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Queensland with First Class Honours, as well as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Wollongong. After graduating, her work experience has spanned rural and remote hospitals from Alice Springs to Wagga Wagga, NSW, as well as major teaching hospitals in metropolitan Sydney. A keen volunteer, Megan’s contribution to community service was recognised by an Australia Day ‘Cultural Youth of the Year’ award. More recently, for the past six years she has volunteered with Street Side Medics, a mobile primary care clinic for vulnerable communities. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Megan will study an MPhil at Cambridge. Her goal is to become a clinician-researcher advancing the understanding and treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome, with the aim of improving health outcomes equitably across disadvantaged communities in Australia.

Laura Maher is an interdisciplinary Internet studies scholar from Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Queensland with First Class Honours in Ancient History, as well as a Master of Philosophy (Distinction) in Digital Humanities from the University of Cambridge. Currently, she works at the London School of Economics and Political Science to support the organisation and running of Europe’s largest Summer School. She has also contributed to academic life at both Cambridge and UQ, through executive positions on student societies, graduate conferences, and convening interdisciplinary reading groups. Academically, Laura is interested in the intersection of digital culture, identity, and critical theory, with a focus on online subcultures and conspiracy theory groups. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Laura will pursue her PhD in Digital Humanities, examining how core values of Western Civilisation, such as reasoned debate, civic participation, and the exchange of ideas, are being reshaped in digital environments. Post-study, Laura aims to lead in policymaking for online safety in Australia.

Rachael McDonald is a researcher and advocate from the Northern Rivers, NSW. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics and International Studies from the University of Melbourne, where she was awarded the School of Social and Political Sciences’ Honours Thesis Prize and First Class Honours. Her research comparing Indigenous economic policy in Australia, the United States and New Zealand, has been published in Pursuit and accepted as a paper by the Australian Journal of Political Science. During her studies, Rachael chaired the Arts Student Forum and contributed to research at the Grattan Institute and the Victorian Parliament. She also studied languages and speaks conversational French and Spanish. After graduating, she led communications at First Nations Not-for-profit organisation Children’s Ground. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Rachael will study the MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) at Oxford, exploring how innovative policy across advanced democracies can build more inclusive institutions. In the future, Rachael aspires to be a practitioner-academic who strengthens Australia’s democratic foundations through public advocacy and evidence-based policy.

Rosalind Moran is a writer, researcher, linguist, and communications specialist from the Canberra region. She holds a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) and a Diploma of Languages in Mandarin from the Australian National University and a Master of Philosophy in European, Latin American and Comparative Literatures and Cultures from the University of Cambridge. Rosalind began her career working as a government speechwriter, producing content primarily on behalf of Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister. She is an established public intellectual, with articles in various academic journals, and is also a published fiction writer, essayist, poet, and playwright. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Rosalind will pursue a DPhil at Oxford. Her primary research project is an interdisciplinary one concerned with modernist literatures and their connections to physics and Western philosophy. The project brings together her expertise across literature and languages (especially Romance languages) in combination with her interests in metaphysics and various theoretical concepts from the physical sciences. In the future, Rosalind aims to develop a career that combines academic research, university teaching, and public-facing writing.

Pragash Murugesan is an engineer from Perth, working at the intersection of technology and mining operations. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Professional Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) from the University of Western Australia, where he studied with the support of multiple scholarships. He currently works at Rio Tinto, where he leads projects focused on improving safety, reliability, and operational performance through the application of digital technologies. Over five years in the industry, he has contributed to high-impact initiatives, including renewable energy developments, autonomous systems, and processing plant optimisation. Alongside his professional work, Pragash has volunteered with Engineers Without Borders Australia, holding leadership roles and contributing to initiatives in humanitarian engineering and sustainable development. With the support of the Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Pragash will undertake a Master of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He aspires to move into strategic leadership roles and build a global career dedicated to making heavy industry safer, smarter, and more sustainable.

Seraphina Nicholls is an early-career political scientist and Australian-Francophone scholar. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and French Studies from the University of Melbourne with First Class Honours. Her bilingual dissertation examined the evolution of sovereignty within international society, focusing on France’s contemporary assertions of sovereignty over its overseas territories. It was recognised with three academic awards: the Dwight Prize in both Political Science and Combined Honours, and the Percival Serle Prize. She has also been awarded several scholarships, including the Elizabeth and Nicholas Slezak Scholarship, the Taines Scholarship in Arts & Humanities, and a New Colombo Plan Grant (French Polynesia). She was the inaugural intern at the French-Australian Cultural Exchange Foundation under the auspices of the Embassy of France to Australia. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Seraphina will pursue a Master in Political Science at Sciences Po, Paris. She aspires to publish interdisciplinary political science scholarship on sovereignty and contribute to strengthening the Franco-Australian relationship in the Indo-Pacific.

Daniel Quill is a scholar of political and economic thought from Brisbane. He holds a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (First Class Honours) from The University of Queensland (UQ), for which he received the University Medal. His thesis explored the history of monetary policy, and how it has shaped the contemporary European political landscape. He also served as Vice-President of the UQ Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Society, and reviewed for Exordium, UQ’s Student Philosophy e-Journal. A language enthusiast, he has studied German and Classical Greek. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Daniel will study an MPhil in International Relations at Oxford. His research focus will be the making of modern international society and the role of monetary sovereignty in shaping relationships between nation-states. His long-term career ambition is to work as an academic, examining how historical ideas inform present political challenges. Post-study, Daniel further hopes to communicate his learnings through the promotion of civic engagement and public dialogue in Australia and internationally.

Aimee Ryan is a classically trained soprano from Perth, passionate about ensuring the future of Opera in an ever-changing world. She holds a Bachelor of Philosophy in Music with First Class Honours from the University of Western Australia. During her studies, she received the university’s top performance award, the Vose Memorial Prize for Music. Aimee has performed with the West Australian Opera, Western Australian Youth Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Freeze Frame Opera. She has completed a semester abroad at the University of Bristol and summer schools at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and in Italy. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Aimee will study a Master of Music in Performance (Vocal) at the Royal College of Music, London, advancing her technical abilities and musicological research to the highest international standard. Post-study, Aimee hopes to pursue a performance career in Australia and abroad, leading the preservation and development of the Western artistic tradition of Opera.

Jack Ryan is a national security adviser from Canberra, and a Distinguished Graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and History) with distinction from the University of NSW and a Master of Arts (Political Philosophy) from Pompeu Fabra University, Spain. A former military officer and current reservist, Jack has worked at the Office of National Intelligence and most recently the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, on emerging security issues. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jack will pursue a Master of Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research will focus on the growing impact that Artificial Intelligence will have on the national security environment and how its development increasingly threatens economic and industrial paradigms. In the future, Jack hopes to work at the forefront of Australia’s AI strategies from both public and private sector perspectives.

Dr Wai Chung Tse is an early-career clinician-scientist and critical care trainee from Melbourne. He holds a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine from Monash University, where he was awarded the Robert Mohr Humanitarian Award. His interests lie in critical care, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and global health resilience. He has led POCUS research and education across the Asia-Pacific, including Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Pacific Island nations. His work at the Monash Addiction Research Centre and Burnet Institute has informed clinical guidelines for the World Health Organisation and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Wai Chung will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering at Cambridge. His doctoral research will apply systems engineering to how critical care is delivered across the Indo-Pacific, addressing the structural gap in critical care infrastructure. Post-study, he plans to return to Australia and lead research on critical care systems in the region.

Jeremy Tsuei is a jazz musician, researcher, public servant, lawyer and former elite para-athlete from Canberra who has performed his music across Australia and internationally. He holds a BA (Honours) and LLB (Honours) with First Class Honours in both, from the Australian National University. His 2024 Honours thesis, ‘Theorising the Dingo Howl: Jazz in Australian Film in the ’90s and Early 2000s’ received the Grahame Johnston Prize in Australian Literature, and in 2025 he published the first peer-reviewed article worldwide on the breakdancer Raygun. Jeremy lives with cerebral palsy and is motivated by disability excellence and creating inclusive communities, drawing from his lived experience as a para-athlete and working in remote Aboriginal communities. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jeremy will undertake a Master of Music in Jazz Studies at Queens College, City University of New York, with research interests in Australian narratives and intersections with American cultures including jazz and hip-hop. Post-study, Jeremy hopes to pursue a career in practice-based research across the arts and academia.

Sanju Vairav is a Sydney-based teacher, museum worker and emerging archaeologist committed to advancing equitable education, community engagement and public scholarship. She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney, majoring in Ancient History, where she graduated first in both Greek and Roman Archaeology. Sanju is passionate about the Classics and educating young people to be global citizens. Alongside teaching, she has worked on major international exhibitions at the Australian Museum and archaeology fieldwork in Italy and Greece. She also volunteers with sustainability hubs and charities and has demonstrated leadership as a captain and president within the quidditch community, representing Australia internationally. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Sanju will pursue an MA in the Archaeology of the Mediterranean, Egypt and Middle East at University College London. She aspires to lead in the Australian arts and culture sector through exhibition development, curation, ethical museum practices, provenance research, repatriation initiatives and community engagement. Her work will foster informed public discussion of the ancient world and Western civilisation.

Ezra Uxó Williams is a violinist from Melbourne undertaking his Master’s degree at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, Germany. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Ezra served as the Concertmaster of both the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the String Ensemble, touring Singapore and Malaysia in 2023. He was also Principal Second Violin of the Australian Youth Orchestra in 2024. He has received numerous awards and grants in recognition of his artistic excellence, notably the Dr Alexandra Cameron Scholarship and the Margaret Schofield Memorial Scholarship. Beyond his violin studies, Ezra has pursued conducting, historically informed performance, and contemporary avant-garde repertoire. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Ezra will complete the second year of his Master’s, under the tutelage of Yamei Yu, the ex-concertmaster of the Komische Oper and the Bavarian Opera. Post-study, Ezra aspires to work as a performing musician, with the long-term vision of appointment as concertmaster or artistic director.

Elena Winstanley is an archaeology scholar from Sydney. She holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her Law Honours dissertation analysed a recent human rights law decision from a constitutional perspective and was submitted by her university for a national writing award. Her academic interests focus on archaeology, cultural heritage protection, and museum ethics, with particular attention to the ethical stewardship of artefacts and the frameworks governing their ownership, interpretation and display. Elena has volunteered on an archaeological excavation in New Zealand and is currently working on the Athenian Agora excavation run by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. This is a highly competitive opportunity, with only 15-25 people selected globally each field season. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Elena will study the MA in Archaeology of the Mediterranean, Egypt and Middle East at UCL. In the future, Elena aspires to a career working in museums and heritage policy.

Daniel Arnold is an early-career molecular virologist and biophysical chemist from Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) from Charles Sturt University, graduating with First Class Honours and six Executive Dean’s Awards. He has conducted virological research at world-leading institutions including Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, and the University of Tokyo, Japan. With the support of his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Daniel will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry at Oxford. His doctoral research will utilise techniques from physics and chemistry to elucidate influenza virus–host interactions at the atomic level, advancing the development of novel antiviral drugs and next-generation vaccines to combat emerging pandemic influenza strains, including avian influenza H5N1. Post-study, Daniel aims to return to Australia and lead a research group focused on viruses with pandemic potential. Outside the lab, Daniel is an Australian champion ballroom dancer with more than 15 years of experience.

Henry Barlow is an English literature scholar from Sydney. He holds two degrees from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours with University Medal) in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He now tries to answer the questions that interested him in philosophy through the more concrete form of literature and is completing his third degree at the University of Sydney, a Master of Philosophy. For his Master’s thesis he is examining temporality in the landmark work of modernist literature, James Joyce’s Ulysses. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, he will undertake a Doctor of Philosophy in English at the University of Oxford and continue his study of Ulysses, focusing on the conflict between different economic forms and its production history. In the future, Henry hopes to teach and research literature at Australian universities demonstrating the complex ways in which literature engages with the sociopolitical world.

Tom Barrett, an Australian-German from Sydney, is a Senior Research Associate in emerging technology and economic security at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He holds a Bachelor of International and Global Studies with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney, majoring in Political Economy and Government and International Relations. His research areas include AI, international standards, economic and fiscal policy, international organisations and foreign affairs. He is committed to examining how the institutions and instruments of international economics best navigate the current period of geopolitical and economic upheaval to deliver on their mandated ambitions. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Tom will undertake a two-year Double Master of Public Administration at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Columbia University in New York. Post study, Tom hopes to pursue a career spanning international organisations and public policy, analysing dynamics between institutions, economic trends and national security.

Imogen Biggins is a researcher and educator from Sydney. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies in International and Global Studies, for which she was awarded First Class Honours and the University Medal. Her Honours thesis analysed shifting memories of transatlantic slavery in European port cities. Passionate about history and social justice, she works in human rights education and was previously Senior History Content Creator and Review Lead at EdTech company Atomi. She also serves as councillor with The Australian Institute of International Affairs NSW and speaks fluent French. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Imogen will pursue a Master of Philosophy in World History at Cambridge, exploring the transoceanic histories of British and French missionary women in the Pacific.  Post study, Imogen hopes to carve a career where she can promote public engagement with history, particularly research on the politics of memory and representations of women in history.

Dr Martin Black is a teacher of Philosophy and the Classics and the founder of a philosophy school in Melbourne. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy and Classics and Master of Arts in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne prior to studying with the philosopher Stanley Rosen, at Boston University, receiving his PhD in 2009. After lecturing at Boston College and Suffolk University in the US, he returned to Australia and established the Independent School of Philosophy in Melbourne. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Martin will study the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree at St John’s College, Annapolis, a college renowned for its communal study of the greatest works of our civilisation. He hopes that this study will broaden and deepen his ability to contribute to the revival of the study of texts that shed the most light on the meaning of our times because they are most illuminating about our permanent human nature.

Angus Bylsma is an economic historian from Hobart, Tasmania. He holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Arts, majoring in History, from the Australian National University. Angus’ research interests include economic and financial history, historical political economy, and the history of the international monetary system. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Angus will study a Master of Science in Economic History (Research) at the London School of Economics. His research will focus on the development of central banking in Australia and central bank independence during the interwar period, taking account of national and imperial politics. He hopes to continue this research with a PhD. When he is not reading about all things economic history, Angus is writing about them for his bi-weekly newsletter. In the future, Angus hopes to either pursue an academic career or apply insights from economic history in the context of economic and monetary policy making.

Georgie Carey is a local government leader from Perth. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Western Australia, where she was a Fogarty Scholar. Georgie currently serves as the Deputy Mayor of Mosman Park in Perth and was one of Australia’s youngest-ever elected Councillors. Now in her eighth year on Council, she was first elected at 21. On the global stage, Georgie has been selected to represent Australia at the 2019 G(irls)20 Global Summit and the US Department of State’s 2024 International Visitor Leadership Program. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Georgie will study a Master in Public Policy at Harvard. She aims to focus on urban policymaking, exploring how cities can harness civic innovation and inclusive design to create more responsive and representative public institutions. Georgie plans to bring her experience back to Western Australia, to help shape policy and leadership that reflects and responds to the communities it serves.

Dr Nicholas Clarke is an early-career cardiologist from Adelaide. He was awarded the University of Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarship and completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. He achieved First Class Honours for his research project on atrial fibrillation in Indigenous Australians, which was also awarded a national research prize by the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Whilst studying, he was a member of the South Australian high performance swimming team. Nicholas has completed his cardiology specialist training and plans to subspecialise as a structural cardiologist with expertise in advanced cardiac imaging. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, he will undertake a Doctor of Medicine at Oxford. His research project will use artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop novel methods to detect cardiomyopathies on cardiac CT. He is passionate about improving cardiovascular health in the Australian population and hopes his work will lead to earlier detection and treatment of common cardiac diseases.

Jemma Cusumano is a philosophy scholar originally from regional North Queensland. She now works in policy at the Queensland Family and Child Commission, promoting the safety and rights of children and young people. She holds a Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours) in Philosophy from the University of Queensland, where she received First Class Honours, the University Medal, and the Don Mansion Prize for best results in the postgraduate program. Since finishing her studies, Jemma has been published in the Undergraduate Philosophy Journal of Australasia and continues to review submissions for future volumes. During her Honours year, Jemma explored Hannah Arendt’s notion of the banality of evil and its implications for moral responsibility, and Simone de Beauvoir’s existential ethics. With the support of the Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jemma will pursue a Master of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh and hopes to contribute to more reflective and ethical approaches to public policy and institutional decision-making.

Megan Gardner is an interdisciplinary scholar and bioscientist from Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Queensland. During her studies, she achieved a perfect GPA, was a UQ Excellence Scholar, and a recipient of the Paula and Tony Kinnane Scholarship. She has undertaken research with the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the UQ School of Communication and Arts. After working for several years in the arts sector, Megan now works as a programmer at the Institute of Modern Art. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Megan will study a Master of Science in Bio-Integrated Design at University College London. She will focus on developing novel engineered living materials that leverage microbiological functions for sustainable construction. In the future, Megan hopes to either pursue a career in research and development in the start-up space, or work in consulting to facilitate a sustainable and beautiful built environment.

Dr Jackson Harrison is a medical registrar from Sydney, currently working at St. Vincent’s Hospital and as a research associate with the University of Sydney School of Public Health. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Newcastle, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney. He has broad clinical and research experience, and a strong interest in epidemiology and biostatistics. After graduating and completing his residency at Westmead Hospital, Jackson worked in a primary care clinic in rural Tanzania and raised funds to extend the maternal health services available to the local community. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jackson will commence a Doctor of Philosophy in Population Health with Oxford’s Big Data Institute, studying risk prediction tools for health resource allocation. In the future Jackson hopes to return to Australia to complete his clinical training and use statistical methods and data analysis to contribute to health equity both within Australia and internationally. 

Charlie Joyce is a researcher, writer and advocate. Originally from Melbourne, he holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics and International Studies from the University of Melbourne, with first class results. Whilst there he was twice elected Education (Public Affairs) Officer at the Student Union. His Honours thesis compared multicultural and Indigenous policy debates at the 2022 federal election. Charlie is now a researcher at the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work, having been awarded the prestigious Anne Kantor Fellowship in 2023. His research focuses on building capacity in Australia’s industrial base, workforce, and public service. Charlie has presented to major academic, political, and business conferences in Australia and New Zealand, appeared in major media outlets, and co-authored two articles for the Journal of Australian Political Economy. With his Ramsay Postgraduate scholarship, Charlie will study a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Oxford, focusing on the development of public institutional capacity through the renewable energy transition. 

Charlotte Jung is an International Relations scholar from Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree majoring in History and Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Queensland, for which she was awarded First Class Honours and the Cleary Memorial Prize for 2022. Upon graduating, she moved to the UK to complete a Master of Philosophy in International Relations at Oxford, where her thesis examined prosecutorial strategies towards the criminal classification of war crimes and crimes against humanity involving male victims of sexual and gender-based violence. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Charlotte will continue her studies at Oxford by pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations – critiquing how gendered assumptions shape the (in)visibility of male victimhood within international criminal law. Charlotte is committed to strengthening human rights mechanisms and intends to pursue a career advancing prosecutorial reform within multilateral institutions, to ensure greater accountability for under-recognised forms of wartime harm.  

Yasmin Kirk is a senior policy officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra, working on sustainable development in the Pacific. Originally from Sydney, she studied at the Australian National University in Canberra and graduated with a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and a Bachelor of International Security Studies with a high distinction average. During her undergraduate studies, she developed a strong interest in human security, supported by her roles as a research assistant and consultant on government policy. In her spare time, she enjoys competing in ocean swims and volunteering with community organisations. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Yasmin will study a Master in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action at Sciences Po’s Paris School of International Affairs, specialising in environment and risk, and participate in an internship with an internationally focused organisation. In the future, Yasmin hopes to pursue a career in crisis management, improving regional coordination in disaster resilience and response.

Elizabeth Mansergh is a student of literature from Melbourne. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours, specialising in English and Philosophy, from the University of Melbourne. Her Honours thesis examined the botanical specimen in the poetry of colonial author-artist Louisa Anne Meredith. In 2024, Elizabeth had a piece on Meredith published in the online journal Cordite Poetry Review. Her academic achievements include the John Sanderson Exhibition (2021) and Dean’s Honours List (2023 and 2024). Alongside her studies, Elizabeth volunteers with the State Library of Victoria and the community food charity Open Table. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Elizabeth will study a Master of Philosophy in English Studies at the University of Cambridge. She looks forward to bringing her knowledge of Australian literature into transnational contexts. In the future, she hopes to further contribute to the field of Australian literary studies and explore ways in which philosophy and literature intersect.

Originally from Perth, Max Martin completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Western Australia, majoring in Economics and Finance. A semester abroad at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he studied international economics and Dutch history, sparked his interest in international relations and motivated him to pursue further study. In 2024, Max commenced a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His studies at SAIS focus on the intersection of economics and strategy, with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. During a recent internship at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, Max gained hands-on experience in diplomatic service at one of Australia’s largest overseas posts, working across both the political and economic sections. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Max will complete his second year at the SAIS Washington, DC campus, where he hopes to further develop the expertise needed to contribute to Australia’s diplomatic and strategic objectives. 

Ali McCook is a lawyer from Townsville, Queensland. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the Australian National University, for which she was awarded First Class Honours and the University Medal. She has published work on environmental regulation and deep-sea protection in several academic journals, including the Melbourne Journal of International Law and the Australian Journal of Competition and Consumer Law. After graduating, Ali completed an associateship with Justice Belinda Baker at the ACT Supreme Court. Ali seeks to use law and economics to protect our ecological resources and currently works as a regulatory lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor with a focus on environmental and energy market litigation. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, she will study a Master of Science in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford. Following her degree, Ali hopes to create international legal and financial frameworks that encourage sustainable resource use. 

Alexandra Mort is a physical chemist from Sydney, currently working as a casual academic.  She holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Science and Mathematical Sciences, majoring in Chemistry and Astrophysics from the Australian National University. From the University of Sydney, she was awarded a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours and received numerous academic accolades, including the prestigious Janet Elspeth Crawford Prize in Chemistry for her research into the chemical design of aperiodic monotile tilings using DNA origami. Alexandra’s Honours research exhibits her passion for applying mathematical concepts to chemical systems for novel material design as a solution to climate-based issues. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Alexandra will continue exploring this interest, by investigating molecular transport and the design of ion-exchange membranes through a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry at Oxford. In the future, Alexandra hopes to pursue an academic career whilst working closely with Australian industry to develop material solutions to the pressing energy needs of Australia’s unique environmental landscape.

Hannah Mourney has worked across Sydney’s innovation ecosystem for the past four years. She holds a combined Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (German Major) from the University of Sydney. For her Honours thesis, she collaborated with a paediatric surgeon on the design of two paediatric orthopaedic implants. She is currently an Associate Director in the NSW Premier’s Department working in the development and implementation of the state’s innovation policy. Previously, she worked with Australia’s first impact investment venture capital fund, supporting early-stage ventures tackling the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Hannah will pursue an MBA at Oxford, focusing on the intersection of innovation, investment, and healthcare. She is seeking innovative funding options to help scale solutions that improve system access and outcomes in healthcare. Outside of work, she is a passionate football player, runner and adventurer. 

Ethan Newnham is a neuroscience student from Melbourne. He holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Melbourne for which he made the Dean’s Honours list, and is currently completing a Master of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. Drawn to the complexity of information processing in the brain, Ethan’s Master’s research has focused on the propagation of neural signals from cortex to subcortex. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Ethan will undertake a Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford, using two-photon optical techniques to understand the neural mechanisms of visual perception. Beyond the lab, Ethan is a dedicated volunteer teacher for young neuroscience students and retirees at the University of the Third Age, and was awarded Oxford Fresher of the Year for his achievements in Trampolining. In the future Ethan hopes to open his own laboratory and mentor the next generation of scientists as a supervisor or lecturer.

Ella Norvill grew up in Singapore and Australia, developing a keen interest in the history of the British Empire and the interconnected Western world’s interactions with other cultures. She holds a Bachelor of Advanced Humanities with First Class Honours majoring in Western Civilisation from the University of Queensland, where she was awarded a University Medal. Her thesis examined nineteenth-century legal cases considering Indigenous rights and sovereignty from Australia and the US, tracing their reception as precedent in modern law. She currently works for the Queensland State Government, supporting communities through the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Ella will pursue a Master of Arts in the History of Political Thought and Intellectual History at University College London and Queen Mary University of London, exploring the history of the English Common Law’s implementation throughout the British Empire. In the future, Ella hopes to work across the intersection of academia and policy.

Vedika Rampal is an Indian-born contemporary visual artist and educator from Sydney whose research-led practice excavates complex histories, objects, memories and the archive. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours (Class I and the University Medal) from the University of New South Wales. Represented by Dominik Mersch Gallery, Vedika has received numerous accolades such as the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Award, exhibited widely across Australia and been appointed to the Artist Advisory Committee at Firstdraft Gallery. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Vedika will pursue a Master of Contemporary Art Practice at the Royal College of Art in London. Her ambition is to initiate social change by developing a ‘decolonial poetics of re-inscription’ through the diverse material language of site-specific installation. In the future, Vedika hopes to create public-facing exhibitions on an international platform, work in academia and lead cross-cultural dialogues on historical injustices within global institutional contexts. 

Dr Wadie Rassam is a medical doctor from Brisbane. He holds a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine from Griffith University, for which he was Valedictorian and awarded the University Medal. He now works in Intensive Care at Ipswich Hospital. He also volunteers clinical lectures at Griffith University and is an Executive Director of the not-for-profit initiative ‘Ubuntu Through Health,’ which supports health projects in developing countries. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Wadie will study a Master of Medical Education at Queen Mary University of London. He is conscious about the challenges faced by doctors in training, and the fulfilment of helping junior doctors find their path is his driving force. He hopes this degree will equip him with the skills to both excel in clinical practice and medical training. In the future, Wadie hopes to pursue a career as a clinician-academic, with a focus on teaching and mentoring junior doctors.

Mathias Richter is a public servant from Sydney specialising in policy analysis and research. He holds a double degree from the Australian National University (ANU) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and Arts (with First Class Honours), where his thesis explored the early colonial history of Papua New Guinea (PNG). At ANU, he served as President of the Interhall Sports Organisation and coached ultramarathons. Since graduating, he has worked for the Victorian Parliament and the Australian Treasury, where he supported the design of a new ‘front door’ for investors to streamline engagement with government. With his Ramsay Postgraduate scholarship, Mathias will study a Master of Philosophy in World History at Cambridge, focusing on Australia’s relationship with PNG between 1975-1991. He has recently begun learning Tok Pisin, a lingua franca of PNG. In the future, Mathias hopes to work across research and public policy and contribute to discussions about Australia’s relationship with, and place within, the Pacific.

Alexander Sullivan is a computer scientist and researcher from Brisbane who graduated with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics in Computer Science, Cum Laude, from Harvard University. He received highest honours from the Applied Mathematics Department for his thesis which improved the algorithmic fairness of selection techniques for elite sports teams. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Alexander will study a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford to develop new AI methods to protect the privacy of energy data whilst maintaining utility for system security, operations and further research. This builds upon Alexander’s work as a software engineer providing statistical performance analysis for a satellite array at Lynk Global. Whilst at Harvard and in his spare time Alexander rowed and debated competitively. Post study, Alexander hopes to continue his work on data privacy, developing new AI protection algorithms and helping to shape policies that safeguard Australians without hindering innovation. 

Tobias Thomas is a classicist from Sydney whose upbringing has instilled in him interests in literature, languages, historiography and material culture of the ancient world. He holds a Bachelor of Design Computing as well as a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Classics and Ancient History from the University of Sydney. His Honours thesis: Imperial Friendship? Proxenia in the Athenian Fifth Century examined how an honorific institution peculiar to fifth century BC Greece developed in parallel with nascent democratic ideologies. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Tobias embarks upon a Master of Philosophy in Classics at the University of Cambridge, examining the legal aspects of proxenia to establish how informal and formal codes governed and continue to govern diplomatic institutions to this day. Tobias will utilise his expertise to establish a lasting positive impact for our society through a leadership career in the fields of academia, diplomacy and foreign policy.

Isabella Vacaflores is a management consultant working primarily in the public sector practice at Boston Consulting Group. Originally from Sydney, she holds a Bachelor of Philosophy (First Class Honours) from the Australian National University, for which she received multiple scholarships. Her Honours thesis examined the impact of geopolitical competition on foreign aid effectiveness and was completed under the supervision of a fellow from The Development Policy Centre. Prior to consulting, she held research roles with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, the Grattan Institute, and The Ethics Centre. Her research has been published in the prestigious academic publication The Journal of Women Politics and Policy. With her Ramsay Scholarship, Isabella will explore models of democracy that will best support intergenerational fairness through a Master of Philosophy in Politics (Political Theory) at Oxford. In the future, Isabella hopes to have a career in public policy and politics.

Dr William J. Waldock is a Sydney-born medical doctor, researcher, and clinical innovator trained at the University of Cambridge. He received six academic prizes including the Royal College of Surgeons BSc Prize whilst a medical student. William has conducted infectious disease, neurology and oncology research, and contributed to a systematic review in ophthalmology for The Lancet Global Health Commission. He was selected for the prestigious NIHR Academic Surgery and Innovation Foundation Programme. As a current PhD candidate at Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation, his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship will support his research on AI-driven approaches to antimicrobial resistance. His work has resulted in over 16 peer-reviewed publications and multiple international presentations. William is a 2025 Venture Institute Fellow, completed the Nucleate Global Activator Programme, and currently serves on the British Medical Journal Future Health Advisory Committee. He aspires to shape global health policy through clinically informed, digitally enabled innovation as a Chief Medical Officer.

Jye Beardow is a constitutional lawyer in the Australian Government Solicitor’s Constitutional Litigation Unit in Canberra. He was previously an Associate to the Hon Justice Steward at the High Court of Australia and the Hon Justice Bond at the Court of Appeal of Queensland. Originally from Lismore, NSW, Jye was awarded the Tuckwell Scholarship at the Australian National University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce. His Honours thesis advanced a novel interpretation of the Australian Constitution’s head of legislative power over quarantine. Having worked for a Senator in the Federal Parliament whilst studying, Jye is passionate about federalism, responsible government, and the separation of powers. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jye will study a Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. In the future he will continue to pursue a career in constitutional litigation and scholarship, contributing to development of fundamental legal doctrines which regulate state power.

Zara Campbell is an aerospace engineer from the Gold Coast. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in Mechanical Engineering from Griffith University, for which she was awarded First Class Honours and the University Medal. She has also completed a Defence Industry Internship Program at Products For Industry (PFI) Aerospace followed by the graduate engineering program at Airbus Australia Pacific. Through her profound interest in space, she has learnt that space debris is a significant issue for the sustainability of our future, as it threatens the destruction of space technologies which we depend on. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Zara will pursue a Master of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Technology Delft in the Netherlands. In the future Zara hopes to pursue a career as an engineer in the space industry. Her objective is to fundamentally change engineering practices to benefit both our terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments – and ensure the emerging Australian space industry is sustainable.

Originally from the UK, Jack currently resides in Canberra where he has just completed a Bachelor of Philosophy (Science) (Honours) at the Australian National University. During his degree, he received multiple Chancellor’s commendations for academic excellence and was awarded an ARC Centre of Excellence Honours scholarship. His thesis explored the engineering of enzymes to convert waste from the aquaculture industry into high value products such as bioplastics and biomedical implants. Jack was the president of the ANU Biology Society and founded the ANU iGEM team. For the past two years he has worked for the federal government as a senior policy officer in energy and environmental policy. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jack will pursue a PhD in Engineering Biology at the University of Oxford, focussing on engineering biological systems to solve health and environmental challenges. In the future Jack hopes to found a biotechnology start-up in the field of planetary health.

Originally from Sydney, Pat Flood is currently based in the UK finishing a Masters degree at Oxford. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Advanced Studies (History) from the University of Sydney, graduating in 2022 with First Class Honours, the Ernest Bramsted Prize, and the Dean’s List. He is currently completing his Master of Studies in British and European History (1700-1850) where he has concentrated on “digital humanities methodologies” and their relevance to Enlightenment studies. He is also co-writing an article with a civil engineering and statistics student for an Oxford journal. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Pat will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in History, focussed on using computational methods to understand the networks and ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment. In his spare time at Oxford, Pat serves on the Oxford History Science committee and enjoys inter-college rowing. In the future Pat hopes to work in academia and/or technology.

Anna Freer is a violinist, singer, and writer who explores ways to tell stories through music and words, combining the old and the new to make something entirely different. Born and raised in Adelaide, she completed a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Elder Conservatorium before relocating to Switzerland to undertake a Masters in Performance at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste under the tutelage of Rudolf Koelman and Sergey Malov. Anna has performed extensively as a solo artist, chamber, and orchestral musician around both Europe and Australia, looking to create moving concert programs with a narrative arc that places classical works in different contexts. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Anna will complete the final year of a Masters in Music Pedagogy at the ZHdK, Switzerland and hopes after to continue to build a life that combines performing, teaching, and creative work. In her spare time, she loves reading, hiking, and cooking for friends.

Amy Galliford is an English and Sociology graduate from Sydney. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies from the University of Sydney for which she was named a Dalyell Scholar and included on the Dean’s List for academic merit. She has recently worked as a reporter for a church network and supported an author in the cultivation of ideas for his recent book on the art of persuasion. Whilst her current positions involve communications and creative strategy, Amy’s passion for ideas and language expresses itself through essay, poetry and song. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Amy will study a MPhil in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion at the University of Cambridge where she is keen to explore questions of free will, belief, meaning and purpose. In the future, Amy hopes to influence public thought through both intellectual and artistic avenues, illuminating the timeless truths most vital to our cultural moment.

As an Australian growing up in Singapore, France and the United Kingdom, Blaise developed a passion for languages and foreign affairs. He recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) at the University of Melbourne, for which he undertook an internship at the Australian mission to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. He currently works as a policy researcher part-time at the Victorian Department of Treasury. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Blaise will pursue a two-year Master of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. where he intends to explore the future direction of rules-based international trade. He will also pursue work with a foreign policy think tank as part of his studies. An avid tennis player, Blaise has played for the University of Melbourne Tennis Club. In the future Blaise hopes to forge a career in international trade development building stronger bilateral ties with partner nations in the Asia-Pacific.

Callum Harvey is a cyber and disinformation policy researcher and practitioner from Wollongong, NSW. He holds undergraduate qualifications in international relations and digital media, including a Bachelor of Communication and Media (Honours Class I) from the University of Wollongong. His Honours thesis explored digital platform regulation, considering digital platforms as if they were states in cyberspace. Callum currently resides in Canberra, serving as a Policy Adviser on AI, cyber and data at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Callum will study a MSc in Social Science of the Internet at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford. His studies will focus on the intersection of disinformation and AI policy. Outside of work, Callum is a trained jazz drummer and collects vintage technology, including software for his 1989 Macintosh Classic computer. In the future Callum hopes to pursue further research on policy responses to disinformation including establishing a think tank.

Originally from Sydney, Orla Hogan is a budding historian passionate about advancing reproductive rights and securing justice for survivors of historic institutional abuse. She holds a BA in History with First Class Honours from the University of Cambridge, focussing on 20^th-century Irish history. She has worked as a research intern for an investment management fund’s modern slavery research team, examining whether FTSE100 and 250 companies complied with the UK’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act. She has also worked at a sexual health charity. Outside study she has enjoyed participating in the Cambridge theatre scene and writing for Varsity newspaper. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Orla will pursue a Master of Philosophy in Modern British History at Cambridge. Her research will focus on the decline of the Irish Catholic Church, the Magdalene Laundries, and the role of investigative journalists in exposing the inner workings of the Laundries. In the future Orla hopes to become an advocate and researcher focussing on historical injustices.

Dr Rebecca Kuehn is a Clinical Research Associate for the Cochrane Collaboration at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom. Her current position involves synthesising research informing World Health Organization Guidelines for infectious diseases. She graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Doctor of Medicine with Distinction, holds a Master of Tropical Medicine and International Health with Distinction, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She has worked clinically across remote parts of Australia and internationally with disadvantaged communities. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Rebecca will study a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University in Canada. She intends to apply this knowledge in a career as a clinician-academic to strengthen Australia’s capacity to tackle health issues of national and global importance through contributions to health guideline development processes, leading evidence synthesis teams, and educating future leaders in this field.

Isabel MacKellar is an international security adviser from Melbourne, currently working in the International Economics and Security Division at the Commonwealth Treasury. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies) and a Diploma of Languages (French) from RMIT University, graduating summa cum laude. Isabel has a strong interest in human rights, having worked for the United Nations Office in New York City on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, she will pursue her interest in understanding the complex realm of conflict, security, and international politics through an interdisciplinary approach. She will study a Master of Conflict, Security and Development at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London looking at how climate change is shaping conflict dynamics in our region. Her interests include art history, piano and the French and Italian languages. In the future, Isabel hopes to work at a multilateral institution to make contributions to conflict management.

Thomas is an education economist from Melbourne working to advise state governments on how to address rising concentrations of disadvantage within the Australian school system. He graduated from Harvard University cum laude in Economics, where he served as co-President of the Australian Undergraduate Society and was awarded the Harold Bolitho Scholarship for his thesis analysing the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on learning outcomes for Australian students. Outside of study, Thomas has rowed at the elite level for the Australian U23 team and was selected to perform at Harvard’s annual music festival. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Thomas will study a Master of Philosophy in Education, Globalisation and International Development at the University of Cambridge. In the future Thomas hopes to use the advanced research skills he will acquire through his Masters to work with think tanks and philanthropic organisations to find pragmatic evidence-based solutions to educational inequality.

Sean Maroney is a philosopher from Sydney currently based in the UK. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, from which he graduated with Double Honours in English Literature and Philosophy. At King’s College London, Sean has been researching the philosophy of empathy and emotions in a two-year Research Masters. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Sean plans to further study of this area through a PhD at King’s College, clarifying how we can better understand each other, especially to promote liberal-democratic values. Motivated by his Jesuit education, Sean is committed to community work, and has devoted time as a volunteer with Indigenous communities and the arts in Sydney and with prison inmates in London. In his spare time, Sean reads fiction, writes plays, and likes to walk his Springer Spaniel, Enzo, along the Thames. In the future Sean hopes to work in philosophy research and education.

Originally from Adelaide, Oscar Martin graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2020, with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and International Relations. At University, Oscar attended Ormond College where he chaired the largest residential students’ club in Australia. He went on to join Deloitte Digital and acted as an account manager and strategist for clients in utilities, resources, and education. After extensive international travel, he returned to Ormond College as a strategic consultant and tutor in International Politics. Oscar has an interest in the intersection of philosophy and international affairs. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Oscar will study a Master in International Security at Sciences Po’s Paris School of International Affairs, focussing on diplomacy and global risks, where he hopes to lay the foundations for a career in conflict analysis, resolution, and diplomacy. Whilst in France he hopes to deepen his understanding of French language and culture.

Izaac Masters is a pianist from Perth specialising in the performance and research of historical keyboard instruments from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) with First Class Honours and a Master of Arts (Research) from the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. During his studies, Izaac received the prestigious Richard Gill Award for the most outstanding performance by a graduand. Additionally, he has served as a classical piano teacher in Perth and is persistently passionate about enriching the lives of his community through music. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Izaac will pursue a Master’s degree in early music, specialising in fortepiano performance at the Amsterdam Conservatorium in the Netherlands. This degree will position Izaac amongst world leading scholar-musicians and advance his musicianship, artistic practice and pedagogical understanding. In the future, Izaac aspires to lead Australia’s largest centre for historical keyboard instruments in Perth, influencing the next generation of Australian pianists.

William Maurency is a public servant from Sydney. He graduated from the Australian National University (ANU) in 2021 with a double degree in Classics and Languages. While at University he founded the ANU Democracy Society, toured ancient sites in Europe and the Middle East, and participated in and organised ultramarathons. He also worked at the Embassy of Afghanistan during the fall of the government to the Taliban. William holds a black belt in Taekwondo. Since university he has worked in government as a policy officer as well as volunteered with recently arrived refugees. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, William intends to study a dual Master of Arts in Global and International History at Sciences Po and King’s College, focussing on interventions in Afghanistan. In the future William hopes to contribute to foreign policy debates so that Australia can engage more effectively with other countries and better navigate a changed global order.

Originally from Toowoomba, Queensland, Justin McGovern holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Southern Queensland, graduating first in class and receiving the Faculty Medal for Arts. For his thesis he explored the legality of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the tension between principles of self-determination and territorial integrity. After graduating, he reported for the Khmer Times in Cambodia on the Khmer Rouge war crime trials. Justin is currently a Senior Associate specialising in public law at Maddocks in Sydney. Justin has also served as Chief-of-Staff to an Assistant Attorney-General of Australia, is a commissioned officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (Specialist Reserve) and an accomplished choral singer. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Justin will study a Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. Justin aspires to a career at the Bar, advocating for fundamental freedoms, defending the rule of law, and shaping public discourse on the Western tradition.

Originally from Perth, Georgia moved overseas to pursue a multidisciplinary degree at Sciences Po Paris, where she majored in political science but also studied economics, history, Arabic, law, and more. She has just completed an exchange at London School of Economics (LSE), studying international security as the final part of that degree. Georgia has worked in peacebuilding consulting and conducted research on gender equity for the Minderoo Foundation, on populism for UWA, and on nuclear politics and international health policy for LSE. Passionate about social impact, she has also delivered healthy relationships workshops and volunteered as an academic mentor in Australia and abroad. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Georgia will study a Master of Arts in International Relations at Johns Hopkins; a 2-year program specialising in the Asia-Pacific and diplomacy, including one year at its campus in Bologna, Italy. After studying, Georgia will pursue a career in international affairs and security, hoping to promote Australians’ interests abroad.

Emma is a Shakespearean actor and English Literature scholar. She grew up in Darwin, attended high school in Brisbane and is now based in London, UK. Emma holds a BA in English Language and Literature with First Class Honours from University College London, where she was awarded the Early English Text Society Prize for best paper in an Old English subject. Emma received her acting training from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Arts Educational Schools, London. Emma is bilingual in Spanish and English and has played lead roles in Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Hamlet in theatres throughout Europe and Latin America, including the National Theatre of Costa Rica. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Emma will read for a Master of Studies in English Language and Literature (650-1550) at the University of Oxford. In future, Emma hopes to combine her literary studies with her practical knowledge of the theatre industry to pursue a career in artistic directorship.

Kathy Radoslovich has combined a passion for history and desire to share this knowledge with a deep commitment to serving her community. She holds a Bachelor of International Studies (with First Class Honours in History) and Bachelor of Development Studies from the University of Adelaide. Her career so far has focussed on youth development, education leadership, and cultural change, within a variety of organisations including the Wiltja Residential Program and SA Police. She currently works at St Mark’s College in Adelaide, where she is Research and Scholarships Manager, and has taken on leadership roles in the College’s academic programs and in promoting cultural change. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Kathy will pursue an MPhil in Medieval History at King’s College at the University of Cambridge. Her thesis will explore women’s experiences of heresy. She hopes this experience will help her carve a career as a professional historian in Australia, deepening our understanding of our past.

Originally from Newcastle, NSW, Mark Spencer currently resides in London in the United Kingdom, where he works as a chartered civil engineer and runs his own business as a consultant construction planner. With an abiding passion for philosophy, Mark completed undergraduate philosophy studies at Macquarie University and his Master of Research (Philosophy) at Birkbeck, University of London. He also holds engineering and surveying degrees from the University of Newcastle. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Mark will pursue a PhD in Philosophy at University College London where he will explore the nature of moral responsibility, particularly notions of just deserts. Mark aims to help clarify this key concept and explore the warrant for its application to the multitude of consequential areas of life and society it affects. In the future Mark aims to become an academic philosopher, continuing his research on moral responsibility, as well as addressing other fascinating and important questions across metaethics, philosophy of mind and metaphysics.

Caitlyn has lived in the southwest of WA since she was seven, after immigrating from South Africa. Upon graduating from the University of Western Australia as 2022 Valedictorian for her Bachelor of Arts (English Literary Studies and German Studies), and then completing a First Class Honours in English Literary Studies in 2023, Caitlyn moved to Vienna to study at the renowned private art academy, die Angewandte. Here, her interests in poetic testimony and methodologies for compassionate engagement are being explored in an interdisciplinary and artistic setting. When she isn’t reading, reading about writing, or writing about reading, Caitlyn may be found swimming in rivers, hiking, or singing in her local choir. With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Caitlyn will study a Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights, focussing on an interdisciplinary approach to human rights, and specifically poetry of testimony. In the future Caitlyn hopes to pursue a career in academia and human rights.

Matthew Welinski is an architecture and design professional from Sydney, currently working with Matt Day Architects and the King’s Trust Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Architecture and Environments from the University of Sydney, where he was awarded the Dean’s List of Excellence and Academic Merit Prize. In 2022 Matt received a scholarship to study at Cambridge University’s Centre for the Studies of Classical Architecture. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Matt will pursue a Master of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, which specialises in traditional architecture and urbanism. Matt is deeply passionate about architectural education and the promotion of traditional architecture to the wider public. With a deeper understanding of architectural design, craft and advocacy from his degree, Matt hopes to pursue a future career in both practice and education. In his spare time, he is a keen surfer and enjoys plein air sketching and painting.

Jesse Woods is a theoretical physicist from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Physics) and Mathematics (Pure) from the University of Queensland (UQ). At UQ he received the Vice-Chancellor’s academic scholarship as well as the Physics Prize and the Duncan McNaughton Prize for ranking first in Physics and the Faculty of Science. He has interned at CERN and worked on Quantum Computing and Supergravity projects in Australia. Jesse has just completed his Master of Advanced Study (Theoretical Physics) at the University of Cambridge. He has also competed in powerlifting at the national and international level. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jesse will pursue his PhD in Theoretical Physics at the University of Bern to develop new, cutting-edge mathematics to study nuclear theory, superconductors, and quantum computing. Jesse is passionate about science communication, and in the future hopes to bring his expertise back to Australia to provide more opportunities for scientific study.

From Newcastle NSW, Rizina Yadav recently graduated from Stanford University, with a BA in Philosophy. At Stanford, Rizina achieved a perfect GPA, four excellence commendations for the most outstanding work in an academic quarter, and an Excellence Award. Throughout her Stanford education, she conducted research on democracy, policy, and gender, presenting at academic conferences at Stanford and in Berlin, Germany. Rizina leads Young Women’s Policy Submission, a social impact initiative improving young Australian women’s lives through evidence-based policy and programs. She also works as a consultant and economist for The Stable Group, focussing on regional impact projects. Rizina loves cycling and tennis and used to be a competitive sprinter (100m). With her Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Rizina will study a Master of Science in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation at the University of Oxford. In the future, Rizina aims to make meaningful contributions in gender and policy evaluation to Australian policy and government.

Joshua Yong is a medical student at the University of Melbourne. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the same university, for which he received the University Medal in Virology and topped his cohort in Microbiology. Previously, he was a Metcalf Scholar at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, where he conducted research on the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. More recently he has worked on a rapid diagnostic test for malaria in Southeast Asia. Joshua will take a year’s intermission from his medical studies. With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, he will complete a MPhil in Biological Science (Pathology) at Cambridge, where he will be investigating the biology of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Joshua is committed to facilitating fruitful exchange at the interface of faith and medicine. In the future, Joshua hopes to become an Infectious Diseases physician with an active research career, focussing on tropical diseases that affect resource-poor settings in Australia and abroad.

Originally from Brisbane, David Cherian has completed degrees from the University of Queensland and University of Melbourne, in pharmacology and health-policy/economics, respectively. Whilst a student, he studied abroad at Stanford and Emory University in the US in order to expand his understanding of design thinking and public health. David has worked professionally with Deloitte, The Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the Victorian Public Service. David is also an artist who has created multiple works inspired by nature, architecture, biology and philosophy. He is passionate about exploring the intersection of the arts and sciences and is excited to experience the unique educational model at St John’s. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Scholarship, David will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an area of interest in Washington, D.C. In the future he hopes to pursue a career in academia.

Linna Jefferson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Sydney, for which she majored in Government and International Relations and American Studies. Linna is currently working for Services Australia in the federal public service in the area of child support. She is interested in synthesising complex information to foster interdisciplinary dialogues and drive meaningful initiatives within academic and community settings. Linna is also interested in dedication to the public good; she has explored this through setting up a peer mentoring program for students affected by mental illness. In her spare time, Linna hosts wine-tastings for a Sydney wine merchant. With her St John’s College, Annapolis, Scholarship, Linna will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an area of interest in Washington, D.C. In the future Linna hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy and teach philosophy to young children.

Anita is originally from Brisbane and graduated from Campion College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts and a Diploma of Classical Languages. At Campion, she achieved inclusion in the Dean’s List of Merit every semester and was awarded multiple academic and merit-based scholarships. She was highly involved in the culture of the College through her leadership roles as Treasurer of the Student Association and two-year membership of the Classics Society leadership team. Since graduating, Anita has been working in Alice Springs at a primary school, both supporting teachers and working with children in the classroom. With her St John’s College, Annapolis, Scholarship, Anita will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an area of interest in Washington, D.C. In the future Anita hopes to pursue a career in education that incorporates her interest in Western Civilisation.

Ted Scarr studied liberal arts at the University of Melbourne, graduating with double-Honours in Literature and Philosophy in 2004. He has served in the Army, completing operational deployments to the Pacific and the Middle East where he was awarded a commendation medal for meritorious service. Ted completed a multi-disciplinary PhD at ANU in 2012 and spent a few years teaching and undertaking research at the Australian National University before completing the prestigious Parliamentary Fellowship where he wrote a report for Parliament on military mental health. Recently Ted has run a busy and successful management consulting company, providing strategic advice to Federal Government Departments. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Scholarship, Ted will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an area of interest in Washington, D.C. In the future Ted hopes to pursue a career combining his interests in politics and writing.

Helena Skundric is from Sydney and has just completed her studies at Australian Catholic University (ACU) in the Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) as an ACU Ramsay Scholar. At ACU she has led her peers as Vice-President of the Liberal Arts Society and Editor of the in-house Scroll magazine. Helena has a keen interest in interdisciplinary approaches to learning, journalism, politics, and 19^th-century literature; favourites include Jane Austen and George Eliot. When she is not reading, Helena likes to sketch, bake, and play basketball. She is learning Croatian, because of her Croatian heritage, and recently joined an Old English reading group at ACU. With her St John’s College, Annapolis, Scholarship, Helena will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an area of interest in Washington, D.C. In the future Helena hopes to pursue a career in teaching, academia, or journalism.

Alice Baker is a community-minded lawyer from Melbourne, currently working as a solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills. She holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from Monash University, where she topped four subjects. Alice is passionate about constitutional litigation, civil rights, and commercial litigation, as well as fundamental human rights and their protection in society. She wrote her honours thesis on the importance of free speech to Australian society, exploring the ability of public servants to speak freely and examining the merits or otherwise of constraints to their free speech.  Alice is also a dedicated cellist, currently learning Prokofiev’s Cello Sonata. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Alice will study a Master of Laws at Cambridge, for which her subjects will include public law and international human rights. In the future she hopes to work at the Bar and in academia, seeking to uphold the fundamental principles of our legal system.

Holly Broadbent is an organist, currently employed at Christ Church, Perth. She has also held organ posts at St. George’s Cathedral, Swanbourne Anglican Church, and Wesley Uniting Church. Holly holds an undergraduate degree in Composition and a Masters in Teaching from the University of Western Australia, with First Class Honours in Organ from Edith Cowan University. Last year she achieved her ARCO (Associate of the Royal College of Organists) and performed in Sydney with the Australian Youth Orchestra. She has also competed as a finalist in the Sydney International Organ Competition. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Holly will study a Master of Music at Yale University. Prior to her studies she will travel to the US after being selected to work with Juilliard’s Organ Professor, Paul Jacobs, for the Oregon Bach Festival. In the future Holly hopes to tour and perform as an organist as well as teach liturgical music in Australia.

Ben Chidiac is a Sydney neuroscientist with an interest in mental health. For the past two years, he has worked as a research assistant in the Ageing and Neurodegeneration Lab at Neuroscience Research Australia. Prior to that, he completed a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) at the University of NSW, majoring in neuroscience and psychology and graduating with a perfect GPA. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Ben will study a PhD in Psychiatry at Cambridge, working at its renowned Brain Mapping Unit. His proposed project aims to use advanced neuroimaging and machine learning techniques to map the biological roots of psychiatric symptoms. From this, he hopes to develop a more personalised approach to psychiatric treatment that will improve long-term patient outcomes. In the future, Ben plans to continue his research and enhance its impact through teaching and science communication; promoting scientific literacy to make important research more accessible to the public.

Joseph Chu is a graduate teaching associate from Adelaide, currently reading law at Oxford for the Bachelor of Civil Law degree. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Arabic and Political Science from New York University Abu Dhabi, a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Adelaide, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law. Joseph’s interests include fencing and piano, as well as foreign languages, of which he can speak four. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Joseph will undertake a Doctor of Philosophy in Law at Oxford, for which he plans to investigate the emergent influences of Chinese involvement in the historically Western-led efforts of transnational commercial lawmaking, as well as the diffusion of Western legal concepts into Chinese domestic law from 1980 to 2023.  In the future Joseph hopes to work as a law professor conducting research and teaching the next generation of legal scholars.

Noah Corbett is a political theorist and legal scholar from Sydney. He has completed a combined Bachelor of International and Global Studies (2020) and Bachelor of Laws (2022) at the University of Sydney, graduating with dual first-class honours and the University Medal in Government and International Relations. While studying, Noah worked as a research assistant to a barrister and in medical administration. He is presently a researcher at the University of Sydney Law School, contributing to a project investigating transnational regulatory networks. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Noah will study an MPhil in Politics at Oxford. He intends to pursue research exploring the consequences of the privatisation of regulation and public services for democratic moral psychology, inspired by his work in the law and the political theories of John Rawls, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In the future, he hopes to combine work as an academic political theorist and barrister in administrative law.

Genevieve Dammery is a Research and Administrative Officer at Macquarie University’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Medical Science with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney. Genevieve has a broad research background spanning functional genomics, health services research and eating disorder prevention, for which she has worked as a mentor and advocate for the Inside Out Institute, a national institute for eating disorders research and clinical excellence. Genevieve is passionate about improving access to healthcare for all and reducing the carbon footprint of global healthcare systems. Her current research focus is primary care research; how to keep people out of hospital and improve the sustainability of healthcare interventions. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Genevieve will pursue a Master of Philosophy in Population Health Sciences at Cambridge. In the future, Genevieve wants to advocate for an improved healthcare system, balancing work in academia and industry.

Sarah Davis grew up in Canberra and Washington, D.C. and studied a Bachelors of Advanced Science (First Class Honours) and Arts (with Distinction) at the University of NSW, with majors in biotechnology and international relations. After this, she worked as a strategy consultant across the public and private sector. She is studying an MBA at Stanford, focusing on commercialisation of leading Australian scientific and technological research. Sarah is passionate about social justice, has worked in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory (NT) and is the co-founder of the first STEM mentoring program for NT high schools. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship Sarah will undertake a Masters of Public Administration at Harvard, focusing on public policy solutions to accelerate Australia’s technological translation. In the future Sarah hopes to combine her public and private sector knowledge to drive cross-sectoral mechanisms to capture and translate scientific and technological advances from the laboratory to Australian society.

Filipino-born and Australian-raised, Rafael (Ardi) Echevarria is a musicologist and musical theorist specialising in nineteenth-century musical form and musicology’s disciplinary debates. His research examines how music theory and analysis enhance our aesthetic experience and engage wider historical, cultural, and philosophical discourse. Initially trained as a pianist, Ardi earned First Class Honours and Master’s degrees from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and his ongoing PhD in Musicology at Durham University examines the socio-political relevance of ‘Breakthrough’. He has taught a diverse range of students as a tutor and academic with the Sydney Conservatorium’s musicology division and the Australian National University’s School of Music. Ardi has presented his research at national and international conferences and serves as secretary for the Musicology Society of Australia’s Sydney chapter. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Ardi will continue his PhD studies at Durham. In the future, he hopes to enrich Australia’s musical and musicological life by working in academia.

Dalton Fogarty is a Sydney ex-banker turned business strategist, with a passion for helping others. A Knight in the Order of Malta, he volunteers for the sick and poor in both Timor Leste and Sydney, and is both non-executive director of a Timor Leste medical clinic, and executive director of a Timor Leste newborn nutrition outreach program in pilot phase. Dalton holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney. Upon graduating, he worked for Deutsche Bank in Hong Kong and Singapore. Dalton now works as a strategic advisor to Prezzee, a digital gift card company, and has founded his own company, inspired by the ‘montes pietatis’ model, to help forgotten nations in Australia’s periphery. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Dalton will study an MBA at Harvard Business School. He intends to use learnings from this degree to help further create social venture enterprises to make it less risky for people to invest in poorer countries.

Jack Hamilton is from Newcastle, NSW. He was recently awarded a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) from the University of NSW, with First Class Honours and the University Medal in Neuroscience. His Honours thesis – awarded the Paxinos and Watson Neuroscience Honours Prize and the highest mark in the past five years – investigated a new implantable device capable of delivering electrical current to nerve fibres to improve the treatment of neuropathic pain. He is currently working to publish this research. Outside of neuroscience, Jack’s interests include rugby union and piano, oil painting, and ocean swimming. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jack will study the Master of Science in Neuroscience at Oxford. Here he will explore how neuroscientists can use cutting-edge technology to decode abnormal brain activity, to better understand and treat various neurological and psychiatric disorders. In the future, Jack plans to pursue a PhD and a career advancing the frontiers of neuroscience.

Jack Jacobs is an historian and political theorist with a keen interest in cultural reform. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Sydney, with First Class Honours in Philosophy. His thesis focused on how the political thought of Edmund Burke could help us think about reform today. Jack is currently Yindyamarra Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University, working with Stan Grant on ways to improve Australian democracy by achieving better outcomes for Indigenous people. Previously, Jack worked on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s review of Federal Parliament’s workplace culture, and on culture reviews of university residential colleges. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jack will undertake a Master of Studies in History at Oxford, comparing Edmund Burke and Mahatma Gandhi’s approaches to reforming Empire. In the future, Jack hopes to be a writer and public intellectual working in universities, think tanks, and the media to shape values and attitudes on key cultural issues.

Cecilia Kent is a student of classical architecture, originally from Brisbane. In 2017, she moved to study at Campion College in Sydney, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts and a Diploma of Classical Languages. In 2022, Cecilia completed a Bachelor of Architecture and Environments at the University of Sydney. She is currently working as a studio assistant at PTW Architects and in administration at the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Cecilia will study a Master of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana, focusing on Classical and Traditional principles of design. She is passionate about grass-roots movements towards traditional urbanism and in 2022 founded the Sydney student chapter of Street Level Australia. In the future, Cecilia hopes to serve Australian communities by combining her architectural training with her background in philosophy and history to create beautiful, durable, and sustainable homes and neighbourhoods.

Yael Lefkovits is a medical registrar at Royal Melbourne Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery with First Class Honours from Monash. She also holds an intercalated Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree through Monash and Cambridge, for which she was awarded Dux. Her research into the artificial pancreas has been published in numerous peer-reviewed articles and textbooks. Yael has a strong interest in public health, having worked for the World Health Organisation in Geneva and she has also co-founded a health literacy course for refugees and asylum seekers. More recently she became the youngest steering sub-committee member of Australia’s National Gynaecology Oncology Registry, and she has also served as secretary of the AMA’s Women in Medicine Committee. With her scholarship she will study a Master of Science in Precision Cancer Medicine at Oxford. Given the paucity of effective ovarian cancer treatments she hopes to develop novel immunotherapeutic options for gynaecological malignancies and improve life quality for Australian women with cancer.

Alex Macdonald, from Sydney, is preparing for ministry in the Anglican Church and finishing a Bachelor of Divinity at Moore Theological College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Research in Ancient History from Macquarie University and has worked in church ministry as well as university teaching, research, and academic publishing. For his Master’s Alex examined early Christian and Jewish appropriations of the biblical exodus story. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Alex will undertake a PhD in Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge University, specialising in Patristics. His research will consider educational ideologies and practices in early Christianity, focusing on Clement of Alexandria, a major figure for the history of Christian pedagogy and for the synthesis of classical and biblical traditions which have informed Western culture and institutions. In the future, Alex hopes to work in theological education and to enrich both the academy and the church by promoting dialogue and engagement between them.

Aidan McGartland from Melbourne is undertaking a PhD in Music Theory at McGill University, Montréal. He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Musicology and Classical Voice, together with a Diploma in Languages, from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Studies in Musicology from the University of Oxford. In addition to studying music theory, Aidan is an active classical singer, enjoying a wide range of repertoire from Franz Schubert to Benjamin Britten. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Aidan will continue his PhD at McGill University focussing on the works of Elisabeth Lutyens, Margaret Sutherland, and Igor Stravinsky. Through the close examination of compositional processes, employing both archival research and music analysis, the dialectic between tradition and modernity in twentieth-century musical modernism will be explored. Aidan aspires to become a professor of music, with a view to increasing cultural literacy and advocating for universal access to music education.

Samuel Murison is reading for a DPhil in Anthropology at the University of Oxford. He holds a master’s degree from King’s College, London, where he graduated with Distinction and was ranked first in his class. He also received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide, where he was awarded the Jefferis Memorial Medal and Professor Sir William Mitchell Prize for distinction in philosophy. He will use his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to complete his DPhil at Oxford. His thesis explores how Australia is preparing for geostrategic futures in the Indo-Pacific, focussing specifically on the role of wargames and scenario planning expertise. Samuel is passionate about public service and currently serves as Principal Adviser to the Leader of the Opposition in South Australia. Previously, he advised the Minister for Education in South Australia and two senators in the Australian Senate. In the future, Samuel aspires to a leadership role in Australian government.

Stuart Nicholls is a quantum physicist from Adelaide. He completed an undergraduate degree at Yale University in the US, in the intensive track of the physics major, with a certificate of advanced language study in Chinese. He is currently pursuing research in quantum computing at the University of Sydney. Outside of research Stuart enjoys hiking, tennis, and poetry. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Stuart will pursue a Master of Advanced Study in Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge. In this course he will study subjects such as gravitation and relativity, particle physics, quantum computing and quantum information. In the future he would like to pursue PhD studies in quantum computing and then work in research in the quantum computing field; working on how to build quantum computers and how to better understand the features of quantum mechanics that will make it possible to apply them to future technologies.

Stella Quast is a heritage consultant who grew up in a farming family in northern NSW. She graduated with a BA (Hons) from the University of Sydney, receiving First Class Honours for her thesis examining the archaeological evidence of past water management practices in the Ethiopian highlands. As an undergraduate, Stella served as President of the Archaeology Society, sang in numerous choirs, and represented the university in rowing. Stella is passionate about investigating water management strategies in past societies, including through the study of physical remains of dams, wells and other water harvesting and storage facilities. She has a particular interest in East Africa given its climatic similarities to areas of Australia. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Stella will study an MPhil in Archaeological Science, to gain world-class scientific training in preparation for a PhD in this field. In the future, she hopes to work as both an academic and advocate to help inform water management in Australia.

Sam Saunders is an international lawyer at the Office of International Law in the Attorney General’s Department and a Sessional Academic at the Australian National University (ANU). Sam was a Tuckwell Scholar at ANU, graduating with a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and the Supreme Court Judges’ Prize for placing equal first in his Honours cohort. With an interest in social justice and advocacy, Sam is Secretary and a Director of the charity Donate-A-Dollar-A-Week and has volunteered for the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT and the Refugee Advice and Casework Service. He is also a classically trained pianist and clarinettist. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Sam will undertake a Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. He will study international law and dispute resolution, and research the law and history of economic coercion. In the future, Sam hopes to undertake further study before advancing his career as an international lawyer.

Zara Smith is a trial prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in South Australia. In her role, Zara conducts criminal trials on behalf of the State. She has appeared as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal and as an instructing solicitor in the High Court. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (with First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Health Sciences (double major in Pathology and Human Reproductive Health) from the University of Adelaide. Zara will complete a Master of Laws at the London School of Economics, specialising in criminal law and justice.  She will focus her dissertation on the jurisprudential underpinnings of post-sentence preventative detention orders in Australia. She is passionate about improving this and other areas of the law through study of legal theory. Upon the completion of her course, Zara will return to the ODPP where she will continue to develop her advocacy skills and make contributions to law reform.

Dilan SriDaran is an actuarial manager for Ernst & Young‘s Health and Human Services team in Sydney, with extensive experience across health and aged care. Born and raised in Botswana, Dilan moved to Australia to pursue a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Honours) at the University of NSW, for which he earned First Class Honours and the University Medal. Dilan’s research background focuses on using statistical techniques to improve mortality projections, however he is passionate more broadly around the use of data to inform evidence-based policies. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Dilan will pursue a Master of Business Analytics at MIT, where he will study applied data analytics within a business and health context. Dilan hopes his studies will enable him to return to Australia with sharpened skills to help promote the innovative use of data to support evidence-based policies that enhance patient outcomes and promote the sustainability of the health and aged care system.

Anna Szabo is an international development and climate policy adviser. Originally from Sydney, she is currently working in Canberra as an Assistant Director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Anna is passionate about better integrating climate change considerations into Australia’s aid program, and equipping women in developing countries to be at the forefront of climate change efforts. Anna holds a Master of Human Rights Law and Policy from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. As a classically trained singer, she has represented Australia in five international tours with the World Youth Choir, including at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Anna will pursue a Master of Development Studies at Cambridge University. In the future Anna hopes to work for a multilateral development bank.

Michael Taurian is a classicist and law graduate from Sydney. His undergraduate degrees were at the University of Sydney, where he completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Latin and Ancient Greek and graduating with First Class Honours and the University Medal. Michael is also an experienced rower and a classically trained oboist and pianist. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Michael will study an MPhil in Classics at Cambridge. His research will focus on the fragmentary remains of Hellenistic epic poetry and examine how civic discourse and shifting political climates shaped the genre’s poetic reception of an even earlier classical past. Michael intends to follow his MPhil with a PhD, and a career in research and teaching.  Through his work, he hopes to share some of ancient literature’s abiding insights into the human condition and its crucial lessons on how we might develop our cultural and political life.

Jack Taylor is from Sydney and recently graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Literature from Harvard. For his senior thesis, he received the Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize for outstanding undergraduate work. While at Harvard he enjoyed being co-president of the Undergraduate Law Review and his ongoing work for U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf and the organisation Judge Wolf founded, Integrity Initiatives International (III). In his III work, Jack has assisted global leaders who are working to end grand corruption through the establishment of an international anti-corruption court. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship Jack will pursue a two-year Master of Public Policy taught in French at Sciences Po in Paris where his studies will cover a range of disciplines, including law, political science, and economics. He will also continue his III work with French government officials. In the future Jack hopes to have a career in public service and foreign policy.

James Tudball is a Brisbane violinist, passionate about musical outreach and advancing Australian music through performance and education. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) and Graduate Certificate in Music (Performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. He also holds AMusA and LMusA Performance Diplomas in Violin. He has performed with the Australian Youth Orchestra, Opera Australia, and Opera Queensland. He has also performed at St Peter’s Basilica, and in France for the Centenary Commemoration of WWI on Anzac Day. In addition to musical outreach in regional Queensland, James has presented pre-concert talks for the Australian Chamber Orchestra. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, James will study a Master of Arts at the Royal Academy of Music with Émile Sauret Professor, Jack Liebeck. In the future, he hopes to work in London-based orchestras and then in performance, education, and outreach in Australia, increasing music accessibility in a sustained way in places with limited exposure.

Celeste van Gent is a medievalist from Mudgee, NSW. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Sydney, graduating in 2020 with First Class Honours and the University Medal. In 2022, she completed her Master of Studies in Medieval History at the University of Oxford where she researched the experience of travel in late medieval England. Currently, she lives in Oxford where she has researched for the National Trust, works for the University and engages with the academic community by presenting at seminars and conferences. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Celeste will study a DPhil in Medieval History at Oxford in which she will focus on the lived experience of late medieval English soldiers, focusing on how religious beliefs and ritual behaviours were shaped by an active life on campaign. Celeste is passionate about ensuring history is made more accessible to a wider audience, and in the future hopes to pursue a career as an academic and public historian.

Victor Wang is a data scientist working in international development, currently based in Delhi, India. He grew up in Sydney and is a first-generation immigrant from China. He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy with First Class Honours in Mathematics from the Australian National University. He has varied work experience in Africa and South Asia with governments and not-for-profits at the intersection of machine learning, public health, and policy. He is passionate about innovations in technology policy and its interactions with public health and maintains a blog focusing on issues faced by type one diabetics. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Victor will study a Masters of Development Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, a program which focuses on engineering solutions to complex social issues. In the future, Victor hopes to build on his international experience in applied machine learning and causal inference to help Australian policymakers use data and evidence to shape policies and improve lives.

Harrison Waugh is a Sydney historian. He holds undergraduate double degrees in Commerce (Finance) and Advanced Studies (History) from the University of Sydney, graduating in 2021 with First Class Honours and the University Medal in History. Since then, he has worked as an associate in private wealth management and has continued to write about the history of allodial land, writing the winning essay for the Venour V. Nathan Prize (2022) and receiving feedback for, and an invitation to revise and resubmit an article to, the Journal of Australian Colonial History. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Harrison will study a Master of Philosophy in British and European History at Oxford University. In the future he hopes to work with Australian universities and Indigenous groups to help support claims for land rights by examining how the concept of allodial land could be broadened to incorporate Indigenous peoples’ prior physical and spiritual connections to land.

Mark Lovell is a Sydney English teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences) and a Bachelor of Arts (English and Latin) from the University of Sydney. He is currently completing a Diploma of Biblical Theology with Moore Theological College. In 2022, Mark joined Barker College as an English teacher, where he also serves as a Lieutenant (AAC) in the School’s Cadet Unit. Before Barker he worked at Shore as an assistant boarding housemaster and chaplaincy intern. Mark has particular interest in character formation, outdoor education, and the explicit teaching of academic writing. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Scholarship, Mark will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in an area of interest in Washington, D.C. After his studies, Mark intends to return to Australia to pursue a career in school leadership.

Dr Shirley Quo is a Perth academic, specialising in commercial, corporate, and competition law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, and Doctor of Juridical Science from Monash University. For her doctorate she investigated the misuse of market power under the Competition and Consumer Act. Shirley has been a senior law lecturer since 2010, working at various universities including Monash and the University of Auckland. As a teaching and research scholar, Shirley is interested in St John’s adherence to the original idea of liberal education through the Great Books of Western Civilisation. With her St John’s College, Annapolis, Scholarship, Shirley will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in an area of interest in Washington, D.C.  In the future Shirley hopes to incorporate a more interdisciplinary approach to her academic writing and contribute to thought leadership through think tanks.

Pablo Bonilla is a Sydney quantum scientist. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Physics and Mathematics) from the University of Sydney with First Class Honours, the University Medal, and the top mark in his cohort. After graduating, Pablo worked as a research assistant at UNSW before accepting a role with quantum computing start-up PsiQuantum. His research interest is fault-tolerant quantum computation: examining ways to rearrange the extremely fragile information units in a quantum computer – qubits – so they can tolerate faults without stored information becoming corrupted. He has had novel research on this published in Nature Communications, a sub-branch of Nature magazine. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Pablo will study a PhD in Theoretical Physics at Harvard. Pablo is excited about quantum computing’s potential to revolutionise medicine, renewable energy, and many other fields, and intends to continue exploring this rising technology and its impact on society.

Dr Grace Borchert is a junior doctor at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, currently completing a Master of Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) at the University of Sydney. She is also an Executive Director of the not-for-profit initiative ‘Ubuntu Through Health’ which supports health projects in developing countries. Grace holds a Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science (First Class) with the University Medal from Griffith University. Inspired by the humanitarian work of the late Fred Hollows, she is passionate about pursuing ophthalmology to restore sight and has undertaken placements with Lions Outback Vision, the Royal Flying Doctors Service and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Grace will undertake a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Neurosciences at Oxford, focusing on gene therapy for macular degeneration. In the future Grace hopes to serve rural and remote communities and take sight-restoring treatment a step further.

Aden Cotterill was born in Brisbane but grew up in Canberra, completing a Bachelor of Science (Psychology)and Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) at The Australian National University. Following his undergraduate study, he obtained a Master of Arts (Theology) and Master of Theology (Research) from St Marks National Theological Centre at Charles Sturt University, whilst starting the process of ordination in the Anglican Church. This all coincided with a decade of working with adolescents in both church and educational contexts. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Aden will pursue a PhD in Theology at Cambridge. In his PhD he will examine how increasing pluralism in Western societies fragments or fragilizes belief and how theology can articulate faith and aid belief in this milieu. Aden is passionate about helping young people and serving the Church and Academy in Australia. In the future he hopes his study will help bless and benefit the places he works in.

Sophie Cotton is a scientist from Sydney who holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Laws from Southern Cross University. Sophie is passionate about bridging the gap between medical discoveries made in the lab, and the patient’s ability to benefit from them in real life. She hopes her law degree will equip her to harness science’s potential to inform legislation and help patients. In 2019, Sophie began collaborating with a Microbiome lab at Stanford University, which led to her current PhD focus: how changes in our western lifestyle have altered our gut microbiomes, causing an increase in neuroinflammatory disorders. Sophie focuses on how the microbiome affects the brain across the lifespan, from autism in early childhood to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Sophie will study a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia. In the future she hopes to both advance research and influence policy.

John de Bhal is originally from Brisbane and is currently a Doctor of Philosophy candidate in International Relations at Oxford. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours Class I) in International Relations from the University of Queensland and a Master of Philosophy in International Relations from Oxford with a thesis on Brazil’s relationship with the West. His research focus is on social status in international relations, the international order, and West/Non-West relations. He has published in the journals Third World Quarterly and Contemporary Politics. He is passionate about shaping public debate around Australia’s place and role in international affairs and in the future hopes to work in a foreign affairs related field such as academia, defence, or the foreign ministry. When not studying at Oxford, John can usually be found on a cricket pitch. In 2021 he was awarded a Blue for Cricket and he hopes to achieve another Blue for cricket at Oxford this year.

Dr Benjamin Dickson is a paediatric doctor at Sydney Children’s Hospital, and an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Sydney. He graduated from James Cook University in Queensland with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery as Dux, with First Class Honours and the University Medal. Prior to undertaking paediatric specialty training, Ben worked clinically across remote communities in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. Outside of clinical work, Ben conducts research to help eliminate neglected tropical diseases and improve antimicrobial resistance across the Asia-Pacific. He has a concurrent interest in the intersection between environmental change and infectious disease emergence. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Ben will study a Master of Science in Tropical Medicine and International Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, to gain the skills required to address the burden of infectious diseases facing disadvantaged communities in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Janet Egan is from Melbourne, now based in Canberra as the inaugural Policy Director for the Office of Supply Chain Resilience in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She is passionate about integrating national security, international and economic considerations to develop holistic policy in the national interest. She is also very keen about supporting women in national security, having organised the Federal Government’s inaugural Women in Cyber event in 2016. Janet has worked on policy issues spanning cyber security, emerging technologies, foreign investment, critical infrastructure, and regulatory reform. Janet holds a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy and German Studies) from Monash University. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Janet will study a Master of Public Policy at Harvard, focussing on the development of international and domestic policy actions to strengthen the resilience of clean energy supply chains. In the future she will apply this knowledge in a public service career.

Brittany Gittus is a proud resident of the Derwent Valley, Tasmania, who works as a Policy and Research Analyst at Tasmania’s Department of Premier and Cabinet. Brittany has worked on numerous projects for the department, including the operationalisation of the Foreign Relations Act and Tasmania’s Literacy Advisory Panel. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology from the University of Tasmania, with First Class Honours in History. She has also attended Oxford University’s ‘History, Politics and Society Summer School’, obtaining first class results. Brittany is passionate about mass atrocity prevention and assisting people from disadvantaged backgrounds to harness the transformative power of education. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Brittany will study for a Master of Studies in Modern European History at Oxford, focusing on Britain’s response to Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany. Brittany intends to use her historical research to inform the way nations respond to events of mass atrocities.

Tom Grein works as a freelance copy writer in Sydney. He holds a Master of Science in International Relations from The London School of Economics (2021), a Bachelor of Political Science (Honours) from The Australian National University (2019), and a Bachelor of Political, Economic, and Social Science from The University of Sydney (2018). He enjoys modern history and political theory and is passionate about public policy, particularly foreign policy and diplomacy relating to the Middle East. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Tom will study a Master of Science in Modern Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. The course focuses on Islam and the politics of the Middle East as well as modern Muslim thinkers. He will study the Arabic language track, designed for students with intermediate to advanced-level ability in Arabic or Hebrew. In the future Tom hopes to work in foreign policy or in a diplomatic role.

Yifan Guo is a Melbourne mathematician, who holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne, with a major in Mathematics, and a concurrent diploma in Computing. Her research interest is algebra, in particular representation theory, which aims to better understand abstract algebraic objects by considering them as concrete matrices that are well understood. She is also keen to explore adjacent fields in mathematics. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Yifan will undertake a Master of Advanced Study in Pure Mathematics at Cambridge. In the future she wants to pursue an academic career, where she can push the boundary of mathematical understanding through research, while supporting the next generation of mathematicians, especially young girls who share a passion for maths, through teaching and outreach. Yifan acts as a keen mentor to future mathematicians, through her university’s maths society and mentoring high school students in the Australian Maths Trust Olympiad program.

Genia Hill is from rural Central Queensland, where she grew up on a cattle farm. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from the University of Washington, Seattle. Genia also holds a Master of Environmental Management (Sustainable Development) from the University of Queensland, for which she conducted field research investigating food systems resilience in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Genia will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Geography and the Environment at Oxford. Her research will seek to determine community-focused drivers of food systems aid uptake using a case study of Papua New Guinea’s cocoa value chain. Genia believes Pacific aid is extremely important, and that aid applied through thoughtful food systems development can be the key to improving livelihoods (especially for women), facilitating healthy, resilient ecosystems, and combating climate change and its impacts.

William Holbrook is from Brisbane, now based at Cambridge University, studying a Master of Philosophy in English. His MPhil dissertation is on D. H. Lawrence’s Australian novel Kangaroo and James Joyce’s Ulysses, and both writers’ views on democracy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts/LLB from the University of Queensland, with majors in English and Classical Languages. In 2020 he completed Honours in English at the University of Melbourne, where he wrote about the influence of the nineteenth-century polymath John Ruskin on two very different modernist writers: the Irish poet W.B. Yeats, and the German-Jewish Marxist Walter Benjamin. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship William will commence PhD studies at Cambridge; his topic is the influence of William Morris on various strands of twentieth-century political and aesthetic thought in England. William is passionate about cultivating an awareness of our rich literary heritage and in the future hopes to work in academia in literary studies.

Alexander (Xander) Jackman is a Sydney lawyer passionate about commercial litigation, constitutional law, and legal history. Xander holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons I, University Medal for History) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) from The University of Sydney, and currently works as a solicitor in Allens’ Disputes & Investigations team. He devotes much of his energy to making intellectual contributions to the law through publications, part-time teaching, and private and pro bono practice while trying to leave room for sport, drama, and travel. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Xander will study a Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. He hopes to reinforce his diverse passions in the law by undertaking the Bachelor of Civil Law and considers the structure of the course (consisting of four electives) to be the perfect platform from which to develop a generalist legal practice and capacity to contribute more broadly to the Australian justice system.

Melanie Kilby is a foreign policy specialist, most recently Executive Officer to Australia’s Director-General of National Intelligence. She has advised Government, on international political and strategic matters in several roles, including the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Secretary, and directed the National Australia-Indonesia Language Awards. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (Indonesian major) with First Class Honours from the University of Queensland. Melanie is passionate about increasing Australia’s understanding of Southeast Asia and its shifting geopolitical landscape. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Melanie will study a Master of Arts in Asian Studies at Georgetown University, looking at political systems, the struggle for Western liberal democratic values, and the threat to the liberal international order – with a focus on Southeast Asia. In the future Melanie plans to lead work across sectors on enhancing Australia’s and the United States’ diplomatic, political, and economic engagement with Southeast Asia and continue volunteer work to increase Asian language literacy in Australia.

Keita Matsumoto, from Latrobe Valley, Victoria, is a former teacher through ‘Teach for Australia’, now working as Partnership Manager for Our Place | Colman Foundation, addressing structural causes of disadvantage in education. Keita holds a Bachelor of Science/Arts from The Australian National University, and a Master of Teaching from Deakin University. He has been recognised by Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Social Impact, the Australian Education Awards, and was a Gurukul Scholar, studying philosophy and meditation under HH the XIV Dalai Lama. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Keita will study a Master in Public Policy at Harvard, focusing on education and workforce development policies to support Australia’s coalmining regions through energy transition. In the future he intends to work in the social finance sector to help fund, operate and scale organisations supporting Australia’s highest-need communities, including coalmining regions undergoing significant upheaval. Keita is also interested in meditation and spirituality, having studied under secular, Buddhist, and Jesuit traditions.

Max Morris is from Melbourne and is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Arts in Philosophy and Research Master of Philosophy (ReMA) from KU Leuven in Belgium, graduating from both summa cum laude and earning first place in the latter. Max’s primary field of research is political theory (Plato’s Laws), with a secondary focus on international relations. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Max will complete his PhD at the University of Toronto. He is passionate about engaging with others to create new opportunities for intellectual exchange. In the future, Max intends to return to Australia to contribute to the revival of education and scholarship in classical Western political thought, working with scholars and professionals to establish and develop university programs, conferences and summer schools devoted to the study of classical texts.

Dr Nishank Motwani is Director of Research and Policy at ATR Consulting in Afghanistan. He holds a PhD in international and political studies from UNSW, where he examined protracted conflicts, as well as a Masters in Strategic Studies and Masters in Diplomacy from The Australian National University. Nishank is passionate about exploring the intersection of strategic competition and its domestic impact on democratic governance, including tackling misinformation and helping refugees find resettlement. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Nishank will study a Mid-Career Master in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School, where he is an Edward S. Mason Fellow, and focus on democracy and governance, policy design and delivery, and international security. Nishank enjoys research and has published in online channels and peer-reviewed journals. His forthcoming book Players, Perceptions, and Power in Afghanistan’s Regional Conflict will be published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2023. In the future Nishank hopes to work in politics and public policy.

Fr Joseph Murphy is a Catholic priest from Brisbane with a passion for the classics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Ancient Greek, Latin, Literature) from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) from the University of Notre Dame (for which he analysed Aristotle’s Greek philosophical texts) and a Bachelor of Theology. In 2019 he was ordained a priest for the Sydney Archdiocese. He has worked as an Assistant Priest at All Saints Parish, Liverpool, as well as Chaplain for two schools and Volunteer Chaplain for Liverpool Hospital. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Fr Murphy will study a Master of Philosophy in Philosophical Theology at Oxford. His prospective thesis considers whether questions of a religious/metaphysical nature can maximise human flourishing and civic engagement and whether a pluralistic democracy should facilitate pursuit of these questions in educating citizens. In the future he hopes to incorporate this knowledge into his teaching and pastoral work.

Isabelle Napier is from Sydney and has worked in social policy, food and agricultural sustainability, and international relations. She was a founding member of the University of Sydney’s Policy Lab, consultant to Denmark’s Ministry of Food and Environment and a fellow at Yale’s Sustainable Food Program. Isabelle holds a Bachelor in Ethics, Politics and Economics from Yale University and is completing a Master of Philosophy in International Relations at Oxford. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Isabelle will continue onto doctoral studies at Oxford. Her doctoral project will theorise ‘white allyship’ in international politics, as modelled by twentieth-century Australian, British, European, and American women who took up causes including indigenous Australian human rights, Ethiopian liberation, Indian nationalism and American civil rights. Isabelle is passionate about bridging cultural and societal divides in world politics and hopes to contribute in her future career to creating Australian foreign policy settings that foster international trust and collaboration.

Henry Littleton Phillips grew up in the Adelaide Hills. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) and a Master of Philosophy from the University of Adelaide, where he now teaches ethics and moral philosophy. His current area of research in moral philosophy focusses on blame and the emotions. Specifically, he examines how people feature in a blaming interaction; looking at whether when we are blaming people, we should examine how we ourselves acted in the past. Henry is passionate about answering difficult moral questions in a way that is accessible to the public. He is also passionate about human rights and is an active member of Amnesty International’s Activism Leadership Committee in SA/NT. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Henry will study a Bachelor of Philosophy in Philosophy at the University of Oxford. In the future he hopes to put this rigorous detailed academic training to use in an academic career.

Mark Rothery is a philosopher from Sydney. From The University of Sydney, he holds both a Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics), and a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Latin and Ancient Greek and with Honours in Philosophy. He is a keen debater and has represented The University of Sydney in debating, reaching the grand final of the 2020 Australasian championships and the finals stages of the 2020 and 2021 World Championships. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Mark will undertake a Bachelor of Philosophy in Philosophy at Oxford, focusing on philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of science, and ancient philosophy. He is passionate about ensuring philosophy is not confined to an ivory tower and hopes to make the lessons we learn through philosophy accessible to all. In the future he plans to become a philosopher and contribute to society through his teaching, as well as publishing both academic and popular material.

Jasper Schoff is a musicologist, conductor, and singer from Sydney who recently graduated cum laude and with highest honours in a Bachelor of Arts in History and Music from Harvard University. He thinks one of the most heartbreaking problems with historical performance is the chasm between past and present modes of listening, and in his creative life as a scholar and performer he is passionate about bridging that gap and finding dynamic ways to bring early sounds to contemporary ears. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jasper will pursue a Master of Philosophy in Music at Cambridge, where he will also sing as a tenor choral scholar in the Choir of Clare College. In the future, in whatever musical capacity he works, he hopes to bring the magic of the past to the present day, and to teach the arts as the vital, life-affirming, and endlessly relevant fields he believes they are.

Theodore Squires is a naval officer from Adelaide, passionate about improving the Western competitive edge through defence innovation. After studying a Bachelor of Finance at the University of Adelaide, Theodore joined the navy as a warfare officer. There he undertook specialist training in cyberwarfare and intelligence and honed his leadership and strategic thinking skills, which he has used in four deployments from the Arabian Sea to the Sea of Japan. His most recent role was analytical support to Fleet Command in Sydney. Theodore thrives on applying leadership, analysis, and communication skills to solve complex problems and has advised senior defence leaders on threats and opportunities. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Theodore will study a Master of Business Administration at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, focusing on managing transformative technologies like artificial intelligence. In the future he hopes to work in national security at the intersection of public and private sectors.

Jonathan Tjandra is from Perth and is now a lawyer working in Canberra as Counsel at the Australian Government Solicitor, advising on constitutional and public law. His family migrated to Perth from Indonesia to escape ethnic and religious conflict against Chinese-Indonesians, which inspired him to study the law. He is passionate about ensuring the law is an instrument for unity, and upholds values like rule of law, constitutionalism, and equity. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Hons I) and a Juris Doctor from The Australian National University, which he attended on a Tuckwell Scholarship. After graduating, he worked as a Legal Research Officer to Chief Justice Kiefel AC, Chief Justice of Australia. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jonathan will study a Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. In the future, Jonathan hopes to continue working in government and public law, ensuring government policies uphold fundamental principles and values that underpin our legal system.

Jennifer Tridgell is from Sydney and is the Senior Legal Advisor to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, working to safeguard the human rights of people of all faiths and none, worldwide. She is the youngest global board member of the International Law Association in 149 years and has worked at leading international law firms, the International Criminal Court, and NGOs. Jennifer holds a BA (Politics)/LLB (Hons. I) from Macquarie University and LLM (International Law) from Cambridge, where she was the Davis McCaughey Scholar. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jennifer will study a PhD (Law) at Cambridge looking into global governance of open-source software, addressing unexplored and interdisciplinary areas for regulatory reform to better safeguard democracy, rule of law and free speech. In the future she wants to work as a barrister, engaging in strategic litigation to raise the voices of the vulnerable and disenfranchised.

Hamish Tynan is from Adelaide. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) with First Class Honours in Philosophy from the University of Adelaide. For his undergraduate studies, he was awarded the Jefferis Memorial Medal and the Professor Sir William Mitchell Prize for Honours Philosophy. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Hamish will read the Bachelor of Philosophy in Philosophy at the University of Oxford. His main academic interests are in the history and philosophy of morality, and he will complete his thesis on the development of Western moral thought. Outside of his studies, Hamish is passionate about social justice and is a long-standing volunteer for educational and community organisations. He is also a keen athlete and musician, having won national awards in both disciplines. In the future, Hamish aspires to work as a philosopher and make a meaningful contribution to Australian philosophy, education, and public life.

Hamish Wagstaff is the Assistant Organist at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, where he assists in the day to day running of Australia’s most comprehensive cathedral music program, and one of only two cathedral choirs worldwide to perform daily Mass and Vespers. He commenced his organ studies in 2012 at Sydney Grammar School, and recently completed a Bachelor of Music degree with First Class Honours at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Alongside his studies, Hamish was Assistant Organist of Christ Church St Laurence, where he accompanied and conducted the choir. Hamish is passionate about sharing organ music with a wider audience and reclaiming its position in more mainstream classical music. Hamish will use his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to study a Master of Arts in Organ Performance at the Royal Academy of Music under Professor David Titterington. In the future he hopes to advance Australia’s music scene through teaching and performance.

Dr Christopher Watson is a Senior Resident Medical Officer in ICU at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a Clinical Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney. He holds a University of Sydney Combined Doctor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours with University Medal), as well as a Master of Philosophy (Research) for which he researched congenital causes of blindness. Christopher is passionate about helping children with developmental health issues through genetic research, advocacy and improving our healthcare systems. He is also passionate about community service, having volunteered for organisations including the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Holdsworth Community Centre, and successfully completing an English Channel fundraising swim. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Christopher will study a Master of Philosophy in Population Health Sciences at Cambridge, acquiring key skills needed to help people with a disability. In the future he hopes to work as a clinician/scientist focusing on children with developmental disorders.

Michael Connors is from Brisbane and holds a Bachelor of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium, and a Graduate Diploma of Education in Teaching from Griffith University. An accomplished musician, Michael has toured the U.S., South America, Europe, and Asia, performing on board Royal Caribbean and Azamara Club Cruises. In 2016, Michael relocated to Sydney and accepted the role of Music Director at Cammeray Public School. In 2021 he was honoured with a North Sydney Community Award ‘In Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Community’ for directing the North Shore Community Band. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Michael will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in the Liberal Arts (MALA) degree and will be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in Washington DC. Michael hopes to contribute to organisations which advocate for Western Civilisation through education and research and intends to establish such organisations within Australia.

Sydney Rowe is from Black Rock, Victoria. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Monash University, in which he specialised in the philosophy of religion. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from Monash University for which his thesis examined the cognitive basis of connectedness to nature. Most recently he graduated with a Master of Public Health from the University of NSW and undertook an internship with the Office of Health Protection and Response, Department of Health, Australian Government. He has also worked at a social research company to support major government-funded projects. Sydney has a heartfelt passion for music and philosophy. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Sydney will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in the Liberal Arts (MALA) degree and will be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in Washington DC. In the future he is considering a PhD in Philosophy.

Luca Stephen-Sujdovic is from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney with majors in Economics and Spanish and Latin American Studies. He is currently a volunteer with Street Level Australia – an organisation dedicated to the revival of traditional architecture and good urbanism – where he writes articles for respected publications such as Australian Book Review, among other things. Luca is a writer/speaker/content creator, and he has appeared on prominent American radio show A Neighbor’s Choice to give cultural commentary on various matters. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Luca will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in the Liberal Arts (MALA) degree and will be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in Washington DC. He is looking forward to ‘diving deep into the intellectual underpinnings of our culture.’ Luca is interested in healthy lifestyles and the latest scientific trends in nutrition, physiology, and biology.

Matthew Blacker is an ultramarathon runner, mentor and physicist challenging understanding of the most fundamental theories of reality. He recently graduated with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Philosophy (Science) from the Australian National University (ANU) and works at the University, teaching undergraduate physics and conducting research. To attend ANU, Matthew moved from Perth to ANU’s Bruce Hall, a community he served as Secretary and Senior Resident, whilst thriving on the arts scene and ANU’s 100km navigational adventure Inward Bound. As part of his physics study, he completed research into quantum gravity, cold atoms and plasma physics.  With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Matthew will study a Master in Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge to deepen his understanding of our greatest theories of the universe, while sharing his passions for running, ethics and podcasting with fellow students.

Roseanna Bricknell works as a Senior Lawyer (A/g) specialising in competition law and technology regulation with the Australian Government Solicitor, based in Sydney. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience) and Laws from the Australian National University, where she graduated with First Class Honours and the highest results in her final year cohort. Her research looked at the public policy implications of and potential legal responses to employer-sponsored oocyte cryopreservation, and won the 2015 Gender Institute Prize for Excellence in Gender Research for Best Honours Thesis. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Roseanna will undertake the Bachelor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford, where she will focus her study on jurisprudence, effective regulation and civil rights. She is passionate about women’s rights, bioethics and tech. She hopes to use her study to contribute to the field of digital platforms regulation.

Margot Holbert is from Gawler in South Australia, near the Barossa Valley and discovered her passion for Gothic and Classical architecture after a year in the UK working at a Catholic boarding school in the North Yorkshire Moors. Upon her return to Australia, she undertook a Bachelor of Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Adelaide, graduating with First Class Honours. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Margot will undertake the Master of Architecture program at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, the premier school dedicated to the teaching of architectural design with a focus on classical architecture and the architecture of subsequent centuries of western and Christian civilisation. Margot is deeply passionate about restoring the traditions of architectural design and practice, as they were prior to the 20th century. In her spare time, she is a choral singer, tap dancer, and painter.

Jack Hume graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney in 2017. He then worked at The Ethics Centre, advising leading Australian organisations on pressing ethical issues. Jack grew up in Sydney’s inner west, is a percussionist, and is passionate about disability services and equality of access to the arts. He is currently completing a Master of Philosophy in Philosophy at University College London (UCL), and his thesis concerns the value of the arts to a liberal society. Following this, Jack will use his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to pursue a PhD at UCL. In his PhD, he plans to develop a justification for government funding of the arts in the face of scarce resources and competing needs. In the future Jack would like to work across philosophy and public policy and to use his research to help drive changes that make the arts more accessible to all Australians.

Blaise Joseph is a first-year PhD student in Educational Leadership at New York University whose research interest is high-achieving schools in socially disadvantaged areas. He is a former secondary school teacher with experience in both public and private schools and recently worked as an education policy researcher at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney. Blaise has completed a Bachelor of Commerce (with a Co-op Scholarship) and a Master of Teaching from The University of New South Wales. Blaise is originally from Canberra and is currently living in New York City. His interests include American and European history, classical literature, politics, and rugby league. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Blaise will complete his PhD at New York University. In the future Blaise wants to be an educational researcher in Australia and lead the effort in closing the achievement gap for disadvantaged students.

Dr Tarinee Kuchal is a medical practitioner and public health professional from Melbourne who obtained her medical degree from Monash University and has worked at the Austin and Alfred Hospitals. She is passionate about global health systems strengthening, last-mile service delivery, cancer screening and prevention, innovative financing for healthcare, and global health diplomacy. She is currently completing a Master of Public Health at the University of Queensland and simultaneously works as the first Australian research fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, where she focusses on increasing access to surgical, obstetric and critical care in austere settings.  With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, she will pursue a Master of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, to equip her to translate her public health research into real-world change, with particular focus on Australia’s indigenous communities and the Asia Pacific.  In her spare time Tarinee enjoys travelling, hiking, and tennis.

Daniel McKay is from rural NSW and grew up on his family’s dairy and cattle farm, just outside of Bathurst. He spent a year working at St. Paul’s School in London and touring the UK before undertaking undergraduate study at the Australian National University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, both with first class honours. He was a researcher in the Parliamentary Library in the Law and Bills Digest section and for the Country Education Foundation before moving to the University of Cambridge where he completed a Master of Philosophy in World History and began a PhD in History examining the changing relationship between Britain and the Dominions, including Australia, at the Imperial Conferences. Daniel will use his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to complete his PhD in History and in the future hopes to work as a historian and contribute to public life.  He is an avid amateur artist and has acquired a new passion for far-meandering country walks during lockdown.

Drummond Orr is a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours in Economics) graduate from Perth who works as a business analyst at Oqea, an innovative mental wellbeing digital platform. He was awarded his degree at the University of Melbourne, which he attended on a Chancellor’s Scholarship, after he became one of the first people in WA to achieve a perfect IB Diploma Score. In 2020 he was the top Economics Honours student and won the Jean Polglaze Memorial Prize for best Economics Honours essay. Drummond has extensive work experience in healthcare innovation and is passionate about using economics to address Australia’s mental health crisis. He believes we can learn a lot from the pioneering economists who have made a lasting impact on Western civilisation. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Drummond will undertake a Master of Philosophy in Economics degree at the University of Oxford and in the future hopes to create economic policies to improve mental health outcomes, possibly through the creation of his own think tank. Drummond is an avid runner, having completed two half marathons.

James Rigby is a community-minded lawyer, currently working as a solicitor at Australian and international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. He was Valedictorian and received the University Medal for the Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland, where he also completed the Bachelor of Economics. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, James will undertake a Bachelor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford. He intends to use this postgraduate study to consolidate and enhance his legal reasoning skills and knowledge, providing a foundation to achieve success as an advocate and leader, both within the profession and, in the future, in public life. James is a keen debater and has held the positions of President and Executive of the Queensland Debating Union, a registered charity which promotes debating as an organised activity in Queensland schools. At the University of Oxford, he plans to continue pursuing his interests in competitive debating and politics.

Matthew Sharp is a former infantry soldier, an East Timor veteran, and an Afghanistan veteran who holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice from Griffith University, and was recently awarded a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from The College of Law. He has been a New Colombo Plan Scholar and Griffith Honours College Scholar. He is co-founder of the charity, the Australian Student Veterans Association, and currently works as a solicitor and the Veteran’s Network co-chair at Herbert Smith Freehills in Brisbane. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Matthew will study a Master of Law degree at the University of Cambridge to expand his intellectual and professional horizons. Matthew is an amateur artist having completed five abstract canvas paintings from scratch.

Eric Sheng grew up in Sydney. He attended the University of Sydney for a semester before moving to the University of Oxford where he studied for a B.A. in History and Politics (completed 2020). He is currently studying for a Master in Philosophy at Oxford. His main academic interests are in ethics, social and political philosophy, and the history of modern philosophy. Outside philosophy, his interests include history, literature, folk and classical music, and Australian politics. He recently appeared on the television quiz show BBC University Challenge as the captain of his college team. Eric is also the current President of the Oxford University Society of Bibliophiles. Eric will use his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to continue his Bachelor of Philosophy in Philosophy at the University of Oxford. In the future Eric hopes to become a philosopher, researching and teaching at a university.

Musicologist Stephanie Shon is from Victoria’s Yarra Valley and holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in flute performance from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, the University of Melbourne. She is an Academic Tutor and Research Assistant at the Melbourne Conservatorium where she is also in the final stages of a Master of Music (Research). Stephanie recently submitted her master’s thesis, which examines the compositions of Australian composer Larry Sitsky. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Stephanie will commence a Doctor of Philosophy in Music at the University of Oxford. Her thesis will examine how Australian classical music composition was affected by sociocultural developments in the 1960s–1990s. An avid dressage enthusiast, Stephanie also enjoys cooking, and walking her Tibetan Spaniel. In the future Stephanie hopes to work in academia, as well as examining how her research can be applied within the cultural sector.

David Threlfall is from Melbourne and is currently a Master of Philosophy/PhD candidate at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he is writing a doctorate on British political rhetoric. He holds a Master of Philosophy in International Relations and Politics from the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with distinction and was top ranked in the cohort. Previously, David completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Diploma of Languages at the University of Melbourne, where he graduated with first class honours and was twice named on the Dean’s Honours List. When not committed full time to research, David has worked as chief of staff at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), and in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at the University of Melbourne. David will use his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to complete his PhD at the LSE. After his doctoral study David aspires to become an academic teaching politics and political communication, and to work in university leadership.

Chelsea Wallis holds numerous degrees and qualifications in business, the humanities, and education from the University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland, the University of Queensland, and the University of New England. She is currently completing a Masters in Law (Bachelor of Civil Law) at the University of Oxford.  She is passionate about interdisciplinary research across law, philosophy, political science and social policy. Previously Chelsea was a secondary teacher and boarding-house mother in the Southern Highlands, NSW, where she taught English, French and Latin as well as convening the Cambridge Global Perspectives IGCSE course and co-ordinating Gifted & Talented programmes. In particular, she coached Da Vinci Decathlon teams and chaired the Hypatian Society and Readers’ Guild, which she established. With her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Chelsea will progress to doctoral study at Oxford, undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy in Law. In addition to her studies Chelsea is a writer, ballet dancer and a keen musician.

Toby Warden is a Research Associate in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He graduated with a Bachelor of International and Global Studies from the University of Sydney where he majored in international relations and completed a thesis on why authoritarian states fail in insurgency wars. With his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Toby will pursue a Master of Philosophy in Modern Chinese Studies at the University of Oxford, with a focus on China’s foreign and security policy and Asian security. In the future, Toby hopes to work in the areas of strategic affairs and international security. In his spare time, Toby is an avid kayaker and enjoys reading Cold War literature.

Rohan Watt is from Ayr, North Queensland and is completing the Master of Philosophy in International Relations at the University of Oxford. His MPhil was supported by the Governor Phillip Scholarship. Prior to Oxford, he was admitted as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland while working in the private office of the Australian Attorney-General; and spent a short time at St Paul’s College, the University of Sydney assisting with cultural renewal. Rohan holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts with first class honours from the University of Queensland.  Rohan will use his World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to continue at Oxford to the Doctorate in Philosophy in International Relations, continuing his research on the evolving nature of international lawmaking in matters of international peace and security. When in North Queensland, his hobbies include freediving and spearfishing; at Oxford he has tried his hand at new hobbies – most successfully in clay pigeon shooting, where he competed in a competition against Cambridge (with mixed results!).

Violinist Emma Williams tours internationally, having performed in the Royal Albert Hall, Het Concertgebouw, all major Australian concert venues, and remote Ecuadorian rainforests. Raised in Darwin, she sang in national youth choirs before completing her Bachelor of Music (Honours) at Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Master of Early Music at Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag. Passionate about engaging and connecting with audiences, in 2018 Emma co-founded the concert series, MusicBox, and podcast, Outside the MusicBox. Emma will use her World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship to fund her PhD at Leiden University on 19th-century vocal and violin performance practices. After her PhD, Emma hopes to continue creating inviting and engaging spaces to share classical music with the wider community. When not performing, Emma loves hiking, reading, knitting, and cooking.

Mark Acebo holds degrees in Commerce/Law from Curtin University. He received the EY Law Prize as the top graduating student of his double degree and the Mainfreight Scholarship for high achievement in his commerce degree. Mark completed part of his legal studies at Ghent University in Belgium. Mark started his career at Deloitte Perth as a Business Tax Advisory vacationer. After graduating, he worked for the Department of Defence’s Capability and Acquisition Sustainment Group (CASG) in Canberra and Melbourne, providing commercial advice to some of the Australian Defence Force’s largest and most complex procurement projects. He now works with economists at the Department of Treasury and Finance Victoria to improve the Victorian regulatory system. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Mark will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in the Liberal Arts (MALA) degree and will be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in an area of interest in Washington DC. In the future Mark hopes to work in foreign affairs or public sector consulting. Outside of work, Mark trains at the St Kilda Boxing Club and is an avid guitarist and traveller.

Ben is from rural North Queensland and holds a Bachelor of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium, and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching from the University of Southern Queensland. In 2016, Ben joined the staff of The King’s School in Sydney as a resident boarding master and Head of Bands. Ben has lectured at the University of Sydney, where he is also currently completing his Master of Music. Ben has performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States, and is a fellow of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s Australian Conducting Academy. He is currently conducting an album of new Australian music for the ABC. Ben is passionate about improving the musical literacy of communities, particularly in rural and regional areas. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Ben will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in the Liberal Arts (MALA) degree and be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in an area of interest in Washington DC. He hopes to deepen his understanding of the Western intellectual tradition, and better position himself as an advocate for a pragmatic arts and education policy that serves the needs of modern Australian society.

Jordan Hill holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and English, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History from the University of Western Australia and currently works as a self-taught Graduate Java Developer at an established small business. His Honours thesis examined identity within the context of Medieval Welsh literary magic and sparked his interest in humanities research. With his St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Jordan will undertake the College’s renowned two-year Master of Arts in the Liberal Arts (MALA) degree and will be mentored to secure and participate in an internship in an area of interest in Washington DC. Jordan loves playing guitar and is an active member of Perth’s vibrant local music community.