Growing up in small-town Ulverstone in Tasmania, Sam Watson may not have envisioned that one day he would be walking through the doors of the prestigious Oxford University on a full scholarship.
And yet, the recent recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship – which provides fully paid tuition, a stipend, and return airfare – will commence his postgraduate studies there in 2025.
What could have been something that held him back – being queer in Australia’s once named ‘most homophobic town’ – became a vehicle for Sam to use for the good of others.
Coming out at a young age, having faced challenges establishing a support group at his school, it became clear to Sam that creating change was going to be a long game, so he repositioned to finish his education at boarding school in Hobart. There, he began his advocacy for the LGBTIQA+ community, adding his voice in support of same-sex marriage.
Through his advocacy Sam hit a national stage, featuring on ABC’s Heywire, where he shared his experience of coming out in a small, rural town.
In 2019, Sam was the lead in the documentary Belonging for Network 10 and Screen Australia, which followed Tasmania’s road to decriminalising homosexuality in 1997, and how his hometown Ulverstone transformed into a town that affirms LGBTIQA+ people.
Working in politics after high school, Sam learned more about climate change policy while seeing the growing need for urgent action. What really captured his interest was the contribution of businesses to climate change, and the way business support will be fundamental to lasting efforts to tackle it.
"My experiences have made me understand there is a gap between business and policy, here in Australia and globally, that means some people in business who want to take action on climate change and invest in decarbonising are disincentivised from doing so," says Sam.
In 2023, Sam graduated from The Australian National University College of Business and Economics with a double degree in economics and finance.
He currently works as an associate at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), including within their Climate and Sustainability practice.
When Sam goes to Oxford University, he will pursue postgraduate studies in sustainability, enterprise and the environment, and public policy, with a focus on understanding the policy settings required to support hard-to-abate industries to take decisive action to decarbonise.
I am hoping to gain a better understanding of how major emitters contribute to climate change, and how they are part of the solution, especially through driving technological advancement, such as we've seen with solar. I want to understand the policy settings required to incentivise and facilitate this investment.
"I then want to return to work in Australia and our region, using what I learn at Oxford, along with my experience in politics, advocacy and business, to ensure that policy settings encourage and facilitate the fastest transition to net-zero possible."
Sam’s receipt of the scholarship was announced by the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Tasmania’s Governor and the Chair of the Rhodes Scholar selection panel, on Tuesday 1 October at an afternoon tea held at Government House in Tasmania. Candidates for the scholarship have to demonstrate academic and intellectual excellence; integrity of character; respect for fellow beings; and a capacity for leadership.
The prestigious scholarship recognises outstanding all-round students, and enables them to study at the University of Oxford while covering all college fees and a return airfare. It’s the University’s oldest scholarship, having been established in 1902. For Sam, it’s the culmination of all of his hard work and dedication to his values:
"I'd like to thank the panel and all of those people who have supported me throughout this process, and in all of my endeavours. This would not be possible without you."
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