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2008 Hedley Bull Scholars
2008 Hedley Bull Scholars: Daniel Schuurman,
Suwita Hani Randhawa and Simon Smith
Suwita Hani Randhawa
I am from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but I have spent more
than ten years living abroad in the United Kingdom (London), Brazil
(Brasilia), and South Africa (Pretoria). In the past five years,
I lived in South Africa, where I attended the University of Pretoria
for my undergraduate studies. In May 2006, I graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts specializing in Law, International Relations and Political
Science. At the end of 2007, I completed two further degrees, a
LLB (Law) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International
Relations. I am now pursuing the Master of Arts (International Relations)
at the Australian National University.
After having been previously engaged with the study of International
Relations and Political Sciences from African perspectives, I am
especially enthusiastic about being able to complement my previous
academic experience with and to be exposed to Asian and Australian
approaches on contemporary issues of international politics. In
addition, throughout the duration of my studies here at the Australian
National University, I am also hoping to deepen my knowledge and
understanding of the role and impact of Islam upon politics, particularly
with respect to issues concerning political thought and political
governance at both the domestic and global levels.
Upon completion of the MAIR, I am intending to continue with a
PhD and to thereafter pursue an academic career in the field of
international relations. In view of having completed a Law degree
and having an equally keen interest for international law, I also
hope to eventually undertake further postgraduate studies in the
field of international law.
 Daniel
Schuurman
I have recently completed a four year Bachelor of Arts
degree at the University of Melbourne, with majors in International
Studies and Spanish Studies, together with a Concurrent Diploma
in Arts, in Development Studies. I will now undertake a Masters
in Diplomacy/ International Relations as a Hedley Bull Scholar at
the Australian National University. In the past, I have undertaken
work with both State and Federal parliamentarians, and intend to
build my career around international and domestic politics. My primary
academic interests include: Asia Pacific regional politics, Latin
American politics, Australia's strategic position in the current
world order, changes in contemporary interstate diplomacy, and minority
and indigenous political representation. I speak several languages,
including Spanish, Portuguese, German and French.
 Simon
Smith
In 2006 I graduated from RMIT University with a Bachelor
of Arts (Honours, 1st class) in International Studies. Throughout
my undergraduate career I maintained a strong interest in Chinese
affairs. In 2004 I spent four months studying Mandarin in the northern
Chinese city of Dalian as part of the UMAP Scholarship Program.
Upon returning to Australia I became co-editor of the RMIT Chinese-Australian
Studies Forum (CASF) and in 2006 attended the Harvard World MUN
Conference in Beijing. In order to gather a more insightful understanding
of the relationship between Taiwan and the Mainland, I spent the
greater part of 2008 living in Taipei, Taiwan.
My other experiences include working as a research assistant/tutor
within the School of Global Studies at RMIT University and interning
with the Australian Consulate in Vancouver. In undertaking the MAIR
program I hope to become more knowledgeable about the evolution
of the international system and our understanding of international
cooperation.
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2007 Hedley Bull Scholars
Beverley Loke
Having graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor
of Arts
(Honours) in Political Science, I returned home to Singapore to
work as a
research analyst in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
I
am now currently enrolled in the Master of Arts (International Relations)
programme with the hope of expanding on the knowledge gained in
my
undergraduate studies and work experience. My research interests
have
traditionally focused on the Asia-Pacific but I am now keen to explore
other regions, such as Africa. Upon completing the MAIR, I would
love to
travel around the world before either pursuing a PhD or working
in an international relations related field.
Natalie Sambhi
I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
from the University of Western Australia, completing a thesis on
‘Mahathirism’ in Malaysia-Australia relations supervised
by Stephen Dobbs. After having studied a variety of areas including
Law, Asian Studies, Neuroscience and Cello performance at university,
I have traveled to Canberra to commence the MAIR/Master of Diplomacy
program. Since arriving, my initial intention of joining the foreign
service has turned to academia as I find myself increasingly inspired
to pursue a career in teaching and research. During my studies,
I hope to learn more about Australia-Asia relations, about identity
and cultural politics of the EU and about Russia’s resurgence.
Aside from these pursuits, my other interests include traveling
and languages. I have recently completed a DAAD Winterkurs in German
language in Leipzig, Germany and I have also studied French, Japanese,
Bahasa Indonesian and Mandarin. Overall, I hope to make a meaning
contribution to my peers and mentors by using the various knowledges
and practical skills I acquire during my time at the GSIA.
 Tamas
Uhrin
I graduated in 2000 from the Debrecen University of Arts
and Sciences in my native Hungary where I studied Social Policy.
During my undergraduate years I also spent time studying European
public policy at Lund University in Sweden. After graduation my
life took a somewhat unexpected turn, leading to my relocation to
Australia. After spending a number of years familiarizing myself
with the Australian culture and values – in other words, working
as a builders’ labourer and a roofer – I rediscovered
the long-forgotten desire to better understand the world surrounding
us. In 2006 I was admitted to the Graduate Diploma in International
Affairs course and after two semesters I have transferred to the
Master of Arts (International Relations) program. While the questions
regarding the world remain aplenty, the intellectual adventure and
challenge presented by the staff and fellow students during my time
at the school further reinforced my desire to find some of the answers
that can enhance our understanding about our social environment.
Whether the search for answers will lead me to academia or to the
empirical world of international relations remains a question in
itself.
 Pichamon
Yeophantong
I graduated from Thammasat University, in 2006 with a BA
(First-Class Honours) in British and American Studies. I have also
completed the French Ministry of Education’s Diplôme
Approfondi de Langue Française (Advanced Diploma in French
Language). Other than French, I have studied languages such as Spanish,
Chinese, Japanese, and Sanskrit, for I believe that languages are
essential for ameliorating one’s understanding of foreign
cultures.
For having studied practically everything concerning Britain and
America, I wanted to shift my attention closer to home, by focusing
on the Southeast Asian region. I saw the GSIA’s MA(IR) programme,
with its range of Asia-Pacific courses, as a great opportunity for
me to look into the region from a fresh perspective – one
that is not influenced by my ethnic Thai identity.
The programme has certainly exceeded my (already, very high) expectations:
I am truly glad to be part of such a stimulating and ‘up-beat’
learning environment.
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2006 Hedley Bull Scholars
 Morgan
Armstrong. I completed my BA(Hons) at Victoria University
in Melbourne, majoring in Politics, History and Sociology. My thesis
focused on Australian and Indonesian politics and relations around
perceptions of terrorism. Prior to commencing the MA(IR) I worked
as a Research Assistant with the Parliament of Victoria and have
undertaken an internship with a member of Parliament. My main area
of interest is the politics of Southeast Asia and Australia's relations
with the region, with a particular focus on the politics of Indonesia.
On completing the MA(IR) program I hope to work internationally,
in the foreign policy field or commence a PhD.
 Kate
Hacking. After 12 months as an exchange student in Austria,
I graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Business (Management and
Public Relations) from the University of Technology, Sydney. I spent
several years working, traveling and studying in Europe and the
UK and then worked for an international investment bank in Sydney
for 18 months. Three months traveling in Africa literally changed
my life, however, inspiring a career change and move to Canberra
to learn more about international relations, humanitarian assistance,
aid and development. I enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in International
Affairs at the ANU in 2005 and found the GSIA program to be challenging,
fascinating and extremely rewarding. I am now undertaking the Masters
of Arts (International Relations) whilst working part-time in AusAID's
Humanitarian and Emergencies Section, and continue to be inspired
by GSIA's staff and students.
 Jacob
Townsend is just another Englishman sent to Australia,
although he didn't arrive by boat and didn't have a criminal conviction.
After (mis-)spending his youth living in and shuttling around the
Asia-Pacific, he finished his Honours Degree in Political Science
at the University of Melbourne in 2003, with a thesis on the EU.
Last year, he found himself writing a report on heroin trafficking
between Afghanistan and China for the Silk Road Studies Program
(www.silkroadstudies.org)
at Uppsala University, which now means he'll be having a break from
GSIA to work for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Tashkent. During
his time at the ANU, he has been thoroughly impressed – academically
and socially – by those around him on this page.
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2005 Hedley Bull Scholars
Justin Brown
My name is Justin Brown and I am currently enrolled in the Master
of Arts (International Relations) at the Australian National University
after completing the Graduate Diploma in International Affairs in
2004. Prior to studying International Affairs I completed a Bachelor
of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, majoring in International
Management. I would
thoroughly recommend the Graduate Studies in International Affairs
program to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge in International
Relations. The departmental staff are particularly approachable
and students would benefit from their wide range of expertise. I
look forward to an enriching and challenging year at the Australian National University.
Jay Caldwell
I am currently undertaking the MAIR at ANU. In 2000 I
graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Hon) from the Queensland
University of Technology (QUT). In 2004 I completed the Graduate
Diploma in International Affairs (GDIA) at ANU. I have transitioned
to international relations from a career in education. After teaching
with Education Queensland, UNESCO in Vietnam, language institutes
in Korea and adult education in the TAFE sector, I decided to follow
through on my interest in international relations. I have attempted
to focus my study on international political economy (IPE). RSPAS
provides excellent resources, both human and material, for studying
the impact of changes in the global political economy on the Asia/Pacific.
 Arthur
Muhlen-Schulte
International Relations and particularly politics have
always held an interest for me, initially through the study of history
and later combined with extensive overseas travel. During 2000 I
traveled through Mexico, Cuba and Europe and gained greater insight
into the history and politics of these areas as well as improving
my language skills in both Spanish and German. Subsequently I completed
a Bachelor of Arts double major in History and Spanish and Latin
American Studies at the University of New South Wales finishing
in 2002. Through my studies in International Relations I have developed
a specific interest in humanitarian intervention and aid issues
linking other academic interests in the broader concepts of the
nation state and sovereignty. After completing the MAIR I hope to
further study and work in this area overseas.
 Simon
Watmough
I am presently undertaking the MAIR and teaching International Relations
in the School of Social Sciences at ANU. I completed my undergraduate
studies at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor
of Commerce, majoring in Economics and Management, and a Bachelor
of Arts majoring in Political Science in 2003. In 2004 I transferred
to ANU to complete Fourth Year Honours in Arts, majoring in Political
Science. My research focus was Australia’s New Interventionism
in the Southwest Pacific and the broader shifts in Australian foreign
policy in the Pacific islands region under the Howard government.
I am keen to further both my teaching and research, focusing on
issues of contemporary Australian identity and foreign policy. After
completing the MAIR, I am hoping to travel to Europe to undertake
the European Master of Global Studies under the EU’s Erasmus
Mundus programme.
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2004 Hedley Bull Scholars
Cecilia Archie
I am currently completing a combined Masters in International Relations
and Diplomacy at the ANU. I graduated from The American University
of Paris, France, where I spent three years studying International
Affairs and Politics. Prior to this, I studied Journalism for a
year in London. I speak fluent French and have worked in numerous
international conferences in France and Cambodia. My interests are
in security and development in South East Asia, where I have traveled
for the past four years to work with NGOs and to research development
and peace-building programs. I am enjoying the MAIR program and
would like to work in international relations after completion.
Helen Leake has been working
in northern Thailand and Lao PDR on community development and political
empowerment programs for minority peoples in border regions for
over three years. She completed her undergraduate studies at the
ANU in Asian Studies (Thai) and has worked for local NGOs internationally
and private consulting firms within Australia. She speaks central
and northern Thai, and is currently learning the Shan script. Helen's
interests in returning to study are population movements and cross-border
migration and its impacts on the internal and international politics
of both source and settlement countries.
Ben Leske
I transferred to the Master of Arts (International Relations) program
from
the University of Adelaide, where I graduated with honours in
Politics/German Studies in 2001. I have a European studies and languages
background, and completed part of my degree at the Albert-Ludwig
University of Freiburg, Germany. I continued my involvement with
the
University of Adelaide beyond my studies, working in international
student
services (2002-3), and international alumni relations (2003-4).
In both
roles I was fortunate to meet and interact with people from all
over the
world, and experience some of the practical communication and protocol
dilemmas to working in an international environment! My employment
experiences were interspersed with travels through the US, Europe
and Southeast Asia. I have enjoyed the GSIA Masters program immensely,
and particularly appreciate (alongside expert staff within the Department)
the broad cross-section of guest lectures and seminars on offer
at ANU.
Jonathan Muir
After undertaking the GSIA program, I joined the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade as a Graduate in 2005 and completed rotations
in Americas Branch, Strategic Affairs Branch and the Office of Trade
Negotiations. In 2006, I was appointed to a Strategic Policy Specialist
position with the Department, and now work in the Indonesia Strategic
and Political Section. Prior to enrolling in the GSIA program, I
worked several years in engineering design, and earlier as an apprentice
carpenter. I returned to tertiary study in 2000 and completed a
Bachelor of Arts (Political Studies and European History) at the
Queensland University of Technology.
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2003 Hedley Bull Scholars
 Alison
Drury
Prior to moving to Canberra to study, I completed a Bachelor of
Economics (Social Science) at the University of Sydney, and worked
for several years at Royal and Sun Alliance in the International
Broker Division of Corporate Insurances. After completing the MAIR
I commenced work as a Graduate Trainee at the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade where I undertook placements in the Trade Development
Division, South Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division and on
the Terrorism White Paper task force. In early 2006 I commenced
a diplomatic posting as Third Secretary to Israel. Since completing
the Masters program I have also undertaken contract work with the
Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) where I contributed
to the research paper "War and Profit: Doing Business on the
Battlefield."
 Gillian
Goh
After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked for the Singapore
International Foundation which helped me to understand and appreciate
the workings of International Organisations and fuelled a growing
interest in International Relations. What I really like about the
MA in International Relations here at the ANU is that while the
program is demanding, the academic staff are encouraging and the
atmosphere friendly and conducive to learning. Studying at ANU has
also afforded me the opportunity to undertake an internship at the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Regional Headquarters
in Canberra. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Lee Kuan
Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore and am awaiting a posting
to the United Nations Secretariat.
 Dougal
McInnes
I studied at the University of Melbourne and Georgetown University,
completing a BA (Hons) in 2001, majoring in US History. I have worked
as a Research Assistant at the Library of Congress, Washington DC
and as a Research Fellow at the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute,
Hyde Park, New York. In 2002 I joined the Department of Defence
as part of the Graduate Development Program. This involved placements
in Director General Army (Land Development) working on the stakeholder
management and conceptual development of army capability; and a
rotation at the Royal Australian Navy's Surface Combatant Force
Element Group, Garden Island Sydney where I was tasked with revising
the Directed Level of Operational Capability Reporting format and
process. In addition, I completed a 3 month secondment from the
Department of Defence to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
(ASPI), working as a Research Officer. Prior to work in Defence,
I worked as the Media Relations advisor for the Property Council
of Australia (Victoria Division).
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2002 Hedley Bull Scholars
 Serina
Bird
Prior to studying the MAIR, I completed a bachelor of laws degree
and an honours degree in Chinese Studies at the University of Queensland.
To augment my Chinese studies, I spent a year studying Mandarin
in Beijing, and then a further year studying Mandarin in southern
Taiwan. After graduation, I commenced work at the Department of
Defence as an analyst. I enrolled in the MAIR course to give me
a greater depth and understanding of international politics, especially
as I had never studied international relations or political science
before. This was in direct response to my work requirements, and
a desire to increase my performance in the public service. The MAIR
course has greatly assisted me in developing a deeper understanding
of the features of the international system. It has also helped
me to develop strong arguments, think critically, and improve my
written communication skills. The subjects have also provided me
with a well-rounded approach to international relations, including
international relations theory, developmental studies, international
law and international political economics. But for me, the best
feature about the course is the people. The departmental staff are
extremely approachable and helpful, and the other students themselves
are a wealth of knowledge and support. After graduation I plan to
continue to work at the Department of Defence, and then hopefully
undertake a PhD in North Asian security issues.
 Tom
Gregg
My name is Tom Gregg and I'm currently enrolled in the Master of
Arts (International Relations) after being awarded the Hedley Bull
Scholarship. During my Bachelors degree I had the opportunity to
study at the University of the South Pacific and to work for the
Pacific Concerns Resource Centre as an intern. Since that time,
politics and development issues in the Pacific Islands has been
my main interest area. The MAIR program has given me the opportunity
to explore these issues at a deeper level, while also learning about
similar issues in Asia. In a couple of months I'll commence the
thesis component of the program and will focus on the impact of
globalisation on small island states of the Pacific. When I've graduated,
I'm hoping to either work in the development field or undertake
a PhD. I highly recommend the MAIR, it has exceeded my expectations
on many levels. The academic content, the quality of the staff,
the diversity of backgrounds among the students, and the social
atmosphere all make the program extremely enjoyable.
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