The Scholars Podcast - Conversations with Inspiring Leaders

Jacqui completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge in 2008 and returned to Australia. She is now an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney law school and also the external legal adviser to the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. In 2009 she was awarded the University of Sydney Faculty of Law Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her work focuses on...

A/Prof Gemma Sharp is a 2007 General Sir John Monash Scholar. Her scholarship allowed her to complete a MSc in the Department of Oncology at Cambridge University. her field of expertise is body image, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, cosmetic procedures, mental health, psychology, therapy, treatment, and social media. Gemma leads the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Group in the D...

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Physics from ANU. He used his John Monash Scholarship to study for a DPhil in Atomic and Laser Physics in Oxford, before working as a postdoctoral fellow in the USA. Tom specialised in the theory of ultracold atomic and molecular collisions and successfully collaborated wit...

Nicholas is a graduate physicist and engineer, receiving first-class honours and a University Medal for his studies at the University of Queensland. He is passionate about energy and education and aspires to make a difference in both fields. His research focuses on future decarbonised energy systems and he has published an award-winning paper on this topic. Nicholas worked in offshore wind for K2...

Sally completed her PhD in Environmental Science at Duke University (North Carolina, USA) in 2010, studying the how changes in the pattern of vegetation growth on landscapes predicts changes to ecosystems. She worked as a Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University, and as a Visiting Scholar at Princeton University and Teaching Scholar at Purdue University. Sally was an Assistant Professor in Surfac...

Chris is a mental health and addiction social entrepreneur. He was the Founder and CEO of Hello Sunday Morning, a non-profit that supports one of the largest communities in the world of people looking to change their relationship with alcohol. Hello Sunday Morning provides free access to peer and/or clinical support for any Australian looking to change their relationship with alcohol, in the momen...

In this episode, Justin talks with three 2023 John Monash Foundation scholars. Abi Rajkumar is a Crown Prosecutor in the Northern Territory who believes the law should be used to change lives for the better. She has worked as an Adviser to federal and state politicians in communications and policy and has travelled across the country exploring communities and identifying opportunities for change....

Dr Yolanda Klempfner AO has long had a passion for education and learning. For the last 20 years, she has been instrumental in assisting and guiding the General Sir John Monash Foundation - a scholarship program awarded to Australians for postgraduate study overseas. In this podcast, Dr Klempfner reflects fondly on her two decades with the Foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Jillian Kilby and May Samali are celebrated scholars of the General Sir John Monash Foundation. Both have carved out incredible careers after studying in Australia and the United States. May Samali is a professionally certified leadership coach, facilitator, researcher, venture partner and business founder. She is passionate about investing in people and ideas that can transform the world. Drawing...

Iwan Walters is a 2012 John Monash Scholar and the Foundation's first elected politician. He returned to Australia in late 2015 after completing an MPhil in Economic and Social History at the University of Oxford, and a Master of Public Policy at Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government. Before going to Oxford, Iwan was a secondary school teacher in Victoria's Grampians region and an inaugural Asso...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2010 John Monash Scholar, Dr Nikki Bart about her work as a cardiologist and her adventures as a professional mountaineer. Nikki Bart is a world record holder for being part of the first ever mother-daughter team to climb Mt. Everest. Upon reaching the top, they also became the first mother-daughter duo to complete the Seven Summits: climbing the highest peak of...

In this episode, Justin speaks with Dr Isabel Hanson, 2022 BHP John Monash Scholar about studying at University of Oxford, her experience as a General Practitioner and her work in healthcare policy. Dr Hanson is an award-winning General Practitioner and academic who has completed a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts wit...

In this 50th episode special, Justin is joined by two scholars, Jess Coldrey and Dr Amy McLennan to talk about living with endometriosis and the work they are doing as academics to spread awareness and help the 10% of women globally affected by the disorder. Jess Coldrey, a 2021 Victorian Government John Monash Scholar and Humanitarian Engineer and Dr Amy McLennan, a 2009 Scholar and Social Resear...

In this episode, Justin speaks with Lauren Bennett, 2021 Judith Neilson Foundation ‘Sustainable Futures’ John Monash Scholar about her work in neuroscience at the College of London. Lauren has a Bachelor of Biomedicine in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics at the University of Melbourne, as well as a Master of Phil in Economics at the University of Oxford. Her research in the cro...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2023 Tim Fischer John Monash Scholar and professional rugby union player, Tomas Robertson. Tom has a decorated career as a rugby player having been capped for Australia and played more than 80 Super Rugby matches. He has also completed a Master of Public Health and a Master of Philosophy at Sydney University and plans to complete a Master of International Health...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2011 John Monash Scholar and chess Grandmaster, Dr David Smerdon about his work in economics, love of chess and how he became Australia's 4th grandmaster. Dr David Smerdon is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Economics at the University of Queensland. He specialises in behavioural and development economics where his research investigates topics such as social n...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2022 Roth/Segal John Monash Harvard Scholar and medical doctor, Dr Jesse Schnall about his work in health, interest in philosophy and his research into using novel therapeutics for mental illness. Jesse is a medical doctor from Melbourne with interests in bioethics, health policy and the overlap of mental health and public health. He has authored over 20 article...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2009 John Monash Scholar, Dr Mark Schembri about his work as practitioner in both human and animal medicine and as the Chairman of the National Selection Panel for the Sir John Monash Scholarship. Dr Mark Schembri is a leading multidisciplinary educator, academic and practitioner in both human and animal medicine. A practising Doctor in Women’s Health at Royal N...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2010 John Monash Scholar, Jonathan Kummerfeld about his academic journey, work in Human-AI Collaborative Systems and thoughts on the future of AI. Jonathan is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at The University of Sydney and was previously a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, working at the University of Michigan, in Computer Science. He develops sy...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2019 Scholar Roden Cutler NSW John Monash Scholar, Freya Jansens about her academic journey and life studying and working in London, as well as work in economics and policy advisement for the Australian Government. Freya Jansens is a policy adviser working for the Australian Government on areas including sustainability, labour exploitation, and women's policy in...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2022 Scholar Susan and Isaac Wakil John Monash Scholar, Xin Zhang about her academic journey and study at University College London, as well as her work in dementia treatment and neurology. Dr Xin Zhang is a doctor and researcher specialising in Cognitive Neurology. She completed a Physics Degree at the University of Sydney and continued onto a Medical Degree at...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2022 Dame Quentin Bryce John Monash Scholar, Sophie Rose about her academic journey and study at Bard College, as well as what goes into realising an international art exhibit. Sophie Rose is Assistant Curator of International Art at the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art and the Foundations first Quentin Bryce Scholar. Graduating from University of Queensland...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2022 Scholar Victorian Government John Monash Scholar, Hannah Gandy about her academic journey and studying law, her passion for youth justice and her disadvantaged upbringing. Hannah Gandy is a Senior Liaison Officer for the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program at the Centre for Multicultural Youth and has completed a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2021 Scholar Victorian Government John Monash Scholar, Jess Coldrey about her academic journey and study in Humanitarian Engineering, her artwork and advocacy for diversity and inclusion in STEM. Graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts (Human Geography) and Bachelor of Visual Arts, Jess has done innovative research on sustainability in engineer...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2021 Chairman's Circle John Monash Scholar, Hannah Phelps about her academic journey and study in glaciology, her work in the Navy and recent scientific expedition to Antarctica. Hannah graduated from UNSW ADFA with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and the University Medal in mathematics and statistics. Since then, she has served onboard HMAS Childers and Success as...