Indigenous Scholars Take on Criminal Justice, Conflict Resolution and Social Equity with Scholarships to Top International Universities

Eight First Nations scholars will soon begin postgraduate studies at some of the world’s top universities, having been awarded one of the Aurora Education Foundation’s renowned international scholarships for academic excellence, leadership potential and commitment to community.

Two Charlie Perkins scholars and six Roberta Sykes scholars are among this year’s cohort – Aurora’s largest group of scholars awarded in a single year – and demonstrate a deep commitment to social change, with studies focusing on criminal justice, conflict resolution, public policy and health equity, amongst other areas.

This year’s cohort also marks 95 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars who have been awarded scholarships to study at the likes of Oxford, Cambridge and King’s College London. It is an important milestone given that just 17 years ago, there had never been an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person study at these top universities.

Wiradjuri woman and Aurora’s CEO, Leila Smith, said this was just the beginning:

“When we remove the barriers that stand in the way of Indigenous excellence, there is no limit to what our young people can achieve. I am incredibly proud of this year’s cohort, with scholars reflecting a real focus on driving social justice in healthcare, public policy, the legal system and international affairs. It is so powerful to see Indigenous scholars before you who have walked a similar path, and I know this impact will only deepen as we near 100 scholars who have studied abroad.”

This year’s scholars include:

• Mahlia Garay (she/her) is a proud Ngarigo and Darkinjung woman and Charlie Perkins scholar, who will undertake a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford. Mahlia’s studies are influenced by the impacts of child protection systems on children and families, and the urgent need for system reform led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, knowledges and solutions.
• Emma King (she/her) is a proud Gurindji woman and Charlie Perkins scholar, who will undertake a Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford. Emma aims to explore criminology’s role in understanding and responding to Aboriginal women’s experiences of overincarceration and gendered violence, and support Aboriginal communities in their ongoing work to reform the criminal justice system.
• Alannah Lenehan (she/her) is a proud Gunditjmara/Wadawurrung woman and Roberta Sykes scholar, who will undertake the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution in Divided Society at King’s College London. Alannah aims to shape decision-making on issues that affect Indigenous communities and Australia’s broader future, and help to create pathways for future generations of Indigenous people to contribute to and lead Australia’s national security agenda.
• Jaiden McGregor (he/him), a Roberta Sykes scholar, was born and bred in Darwin on Larrakia country. He has strong family connections and ancestry to Nyikina people and country in central Kimberley Western Australia. Jaiden will study a Master of Arts in Education and International Development: Conflict, Emergencies and Peace at the University College London, and aims to develop culturally grounded education models for crisis and emergency contexts, combining Indigenous knowledge and international best practice.
• Carly Mohamed (she/her) is a Gooreng Gooreng woman and Roberta Sykes scholar, who will undertake a Master of Public Policy at the University of Oxford. An accredited lawyer with the Supreme Court of Victoria, Carly aims to strengthen her expertise in policy development and decision-making, and contribute to policies and strategies that not only recognise the needs of First Nations communities, but are also backed by the investment and resourcing to deliver sustained impact.
• William Smith (he/him) is a proud Wiradjuri and Wemba Wemba man and Roberta Sykes scholar, who will undertake a Master of Philosophy in Health, Medicine and Society at the University of Cambridge. With a background in psychology, Will’s research will examine strength-based determinants of Indigenous wellbeing and the integration of cultural practices into mental health systems.
• Shonae Hobson (she/her) is a proud Southern Kaantju, Umpila and Kuuku Ya’u woman from the Aboriginal community of Coen, Cape York Peninsula, and a Roberta Sykes scholar. Shonae will undertake a Master of Arts in Art Business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York. With a background as an Indigenous art curator, Shonae will develop the necessary industry networks, art market knowledge and leadership skills to support Indigenous artists to retain agency and ownership of their work across the supply chain.
• Sophie Coffin (she/her) is a proud Ngangumarta and Palyku woman from the Pilbara, with connections to Nyamal and Yindjibarndi Country. As a Roberta Sykes scholar and recipient of the 2024 Emerging Lawyer of the Year from the Law Society of Western Australia, Sophie’s studies will enhance her legal expertise and provide her with a global perspective she intends to utilise to drive meaningful legal reform for First Nations peoples in Australia.

For more information about Aurora’s international scholarships, click here