Aurora announces 2024 Charlie Perkins and Roberta Sykes Scholars

Aurora has announced the 2024 Charlie Perkins and Roberta Sykes scholars who will study at institutions including the University of Oxford, King’s College London and one of the world’s most important centres for global earth science research and education, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Aurora’s programs work to remove systemic barriers that stand in the way of Indigenous potential being realised. 15 years ago, there had never been an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person graduate from Oxford or Cambridge. Today, almost 100 Indigenous postgraduate scholars have studied or taught at these and other top universities through Aurora’s scholarship programs.

Aurora’s CEO, Leila Smith, explains that these scholarships reinforce Indigenous achievement, excellence and leadership.

“For 15 years, Aurora has delivered international scholarships to the best and brightest Indigenous scholars in Australia. This year is no different. Our 2024 scholarship recipients form part of a growing cohort of Indigenous students who are showing us what Indigenous excellence looks like, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to community and influencing meaningful change in their fields. I am incredibly proud of our newest scholars, and look forward to seeing the impact of their experience over the coming years,” Leila said.

This year’s scholars include:

• Warumungu man and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Ethan Taylor. Ethan has previously completed a Master of Philosophy in Politics (Political Theory) at the University of Oxford under the Charlie Perkins Scholarship. This year, he will be returning to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy in Politics. Ethan aims to bring Indigenous Australian justice to the front of public discourse and to make his research accessible and digestible for the general public. He strives to inject his lived experiences into academic political philosophy and use this to drive deep, structural change for First Nations peoples.
• Wardandi Noongar woman and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Danielle Kampers. Danielle graduated from James Cook University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Marine Biology and Aquaculture Science, and has since been working as a Graduate Marine Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marina Science in Perth. She is about to begin a Master of Science in Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Upon completing her degree, Danielle hopes to return to Australia and complete her PhD on the role of artificial intelligence in aquaculture, specifically relating to seafood farming.
• Warumungu woman and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Madeline (Mady) Wills. Mady has a strong passion for understanding psychological principles and their interaction with socio-cultural impacts such as trauma, racism and Aboriginal epistemologies. Mady holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology) from Deakin University, completed her Honours in Psychology at Monash University, and has been invited to speak at conferences on mental health both in Australia and around the world. In a few months’ time, Mady will begin a Master of Science in Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology at King’s College in London.
• Gamilaroi woman and Charlie Perkins Scholar, Brooke Boney. Brooke graduated from the University of Technology Sydney in 2014 with a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism). Since then, she has developed extensive experience as a journalist, most notably as the News and Entertainment Host on Channel 9’s The Today Show. Brooke will study a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford with plans to later work within Reconciliation Australia and other government adjacent bodies, where media and mass communication meets policy and agenda setting.
• Tiwi/Iwaidja, Kaytej/Warlpiri woman and Charlie Perkins Scholar, Hmalan Hunter-Xenie. Hmalan has a Bachelor of Science (Honours in Environmental Science) from Australian National University. She is passionate about positively influencing policy and programs relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in relation to water and land rights. Recently, Hmalan was awarded both the Scholar of the Year and Caring for Country at the 2024 NAIDOC Darwin Awards. She will go on to study a Master of Public Policy later this year.

Congratulations to the 2024 scholars and best of luck as you head overseas for your studies!