Monash graduate wins Rhodes Scholarship
Monash graduate, Harrison Jones, has won the prestigious 2023 Victorian Rhodes Scholarship. The world-renowned scholarship is awarded to nine outstanding Australians each year, enabling the successful recipients to study at the UK’s University of Oxford.
The prestigious scholarship was announced today by Her Excellency, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, at Government House.
Harrison will travel to Oxford in September, 2023 where he intends to enrol in the Bachelor of Civil Law with a focus on environmental law and climate change, followed by a Master of Public Policy.
Graduating from Monash University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) (Medal) and Bachelor of Arts (International Relations), Harrison fully harnessed the opportunities of university life. A snapshot of his many impressive achievements include being awarded the Supreme Court Prize for the Best Honours Student, the University Medal for Undergraduate Academic Achievement (Law) and the Sir John Monash Medal for Outstanding Achievement (Law). Harrison also participated in the Vice-Chancellor’s Ancora Imparo Leadership Program, which gives students the opportunity to learn about leadership through interaction with community leaders and distinguished alumni.
Passionate about helping to improve the lives of others, Harrison wants to work at the interface of law and policy to help correct the injustices created by climate change.
“Climate change is a global problem that requires local, national and international solutions. Studying at Oxford will give me access to world-leading scholars in the field and provide diverse global perspectives on this important challenge,” he said.
“What motivates me is a desire to ensure that those communities that have contributed the least to the problem of climate change do not suffer the worst outcomes. The Rhodes Scholarship will help me to build a career in policy, working with communities affected by climate change to address the diverse environmental, economic and social impacts.”
Harrison said the success of his Rhodes Scholar application is attributable to the enormous support and opportunities he has been afforded by friends, family and Monash University.
“This support network has allowed me to dedicate myself to my undergraduate studies and to seek opportunities to help others in the community. I’m very excited and grateful to now take this next step, which to me is more than just two years of academically rigorous study at Oxford, but the opportunity to reflect on what a life of service means with scholars from around the world.”
Each year, nine Rhodes Scholarships are available for outstanding Australians to study at the University of Oxford. One Rhodes Scholarship is offered in each of the states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania), and three for Australia-at-large.
Monash University Rhodes Scholars include Dr Laura McArthur (2022), Kate Maddern (2021) and Nicholas Young (2021), Patrick Daniel Lindesay Maclean (2020), Daniel D’Hotman (2019), Connor Rochford (2017), Thom Woodroofe (2014), Geoffrey Michael Pascoe (2013), Victor David Finkel (2012), Evelyn See-Yuan Chan (2011), Anthea Lindquist (2009), Farnaz Sabet (2005), Lucas Bluff (2004), Geraldine Buckingham (2003) and Nathan Grills (2002). For further information about the Rhodes Trust, visit the Rhodes House website.