An ANU dynasty - the Dr Claire Clark Scholarship
I have been lucky to have family that could support my studies and travels, and to establish a scholarship to help other students do the same seems appropriate
In 2016, Mr Russell Clark, an ANU alumnus and Portfolio Manager at Horseman Capital Management, established the Dr Claire Clark Scholarship to honour his mother's achievements and interests in international relations and public policy.
The ANU has been at the centre of Clark family life for decades, with the family fast approaching their third generation of involvement with the University through either work or study. Claire was a Visiting Fellow at the Public Policy Program for four years in the early 1990s. She taught courses in public policy to ACT public servants and visiting public servants from other jurisdictions, including Indonesia. Claire says: "I am very proud that all four of my children studied at the ANU, all of whom have at least two ANU degrees."
Russell says "my personal experience of studying at ANU was extremely rewarding", but it is Claire's achievements both as a pioneering woman in international relations and a supportive parent that Russell wishes to honour.
Russell recalls that his mother "always encouraged us to travel and try and understand the world."
"I have been lucky to have family that could support my studies and travels, and to establish a scholarship to help other students do the same seems appropriate."
This scholarship nurtures Australia's best and brightest future policymakers and will have long-term benefits, especially in public policy development. The inaugural scholarship recipients, Ms Anna Dunkley and Ms Ella Weisbrot, are both Master of Public Policy students at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific.
For Ella, Claire is a personal inspiration: "Dr Clark is such an inspiration. It means a lot to meet with female leaders who have played a strong role in public policy development. To know that incredible women like Dr Claire Clark have gone before and paved the way for younger women like myself is really inspirational."
Both scholars are determined to make a real and positive change. Anna says:
"I am motivated by people who are passionate about their work and the world around them. Having met with Dr Clark, it seems she is one of those people who exude enthusiasm about the world - and are changing it for the better!"
