Two University of Tasmania graduates have secured $120,000 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships to pursue groundbreaking research in climate science and urban planning.
Neve Clippingdale, who completed her honours degree at the university’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, will use the funding to extend her research through a PhD program.
Her work focuses on microscopic marine plants in the Southern Ocean that could help reconstruct past sea surface temperatures around Antarctica.
She said her research aims to improve understanding of how these critical regions might respond to future climate change.
“The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is incredible,” Clippingdale said. “It provides opportunity to transform passion into action.”
She said the scholarship would help accelerate her impact in climate science and community outreach.
“The support of this scholarship will allow me to focus my energy on creating meaningful change sooner and at a greater scale than would otherwise be possible,” she said.
Jacob Braid, who graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 2025, will head to Melbourne to study a Master of Urban Planning.
“I am motivated to use planning to help design community-focused education spaces in regional areas that support family engagement in learning,” Braid said.
His goal is to create more inclusive educational outcomes for Australians through better-designed learning environments.
The Westpac Scholars Trust has committed to awarding 100 scholarships annually.
Since 2015, the trust and university partners have invested more than $50 million in developing future leaders.
Amy Lyden, CEO of Westpac Scholars Trust, said the scholarships offered more than just financial support.
“These scholarships do far more than provide funding – they open doors,” she said.
“Scholars gain leadership development, global experiences and a powerful lifelong network that accelerates their ideas and amplifies their impact on Australia’s future.”
