News

Indigenous scholar is London bound

ACU psychology graduate is headed to the London School of Economics.

Ruby Warber relocated to Melbourne from the country town of Collie in Western Australia at just 17, to pursue her dream of becoming a clinical psychologist; now 27 with a Masters of Psychology (Clinical) the Australian Catholic University (ACU) graduate will continue that pursuit in London.

Ruby was recently awarded a Roberta Sykes Education Foundation scholarship to undertake a Masters of Science in Global Population Health at the London School of Economics.

The scholarship, administered by the Aurora Education Foundation, helps outstanding Indigenous graduates to undertake postgraduate study at prestigious overseas universities.

“I am incredibly excited to start studying Global Health. With so much training in one-on-one therapy, I am looking forward to learning the skills to design, implement and evaluate health programs which can benefit many people at once,” Ruby said.

“I have so many ideas for programs to help the young Aboriginal women I work with, so I hope that developing my skills in these areas will help me when I return. Closing the Gap has always been a huge driving force for me to continue studying and working with my people.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to study overseas and hopefully get some new perspectives on the health problems faced by Indigenous peoples worldwide.”

Ruby is one of only four Indigenous students awarded scholarships this year at a recent function hosted by the British High Commissioner in Canberra.

“When I accepted my scholarship there were three staff members from ACU present, which made me feel very proud and valued. None of the other universities showed such support for their alumni and I was very flattered and a little overwhelmed,” Ruby said.

“This scholarship has changed the course of my life for the time being. I have never lived overseas, now I am relocating to London, leaving my friends, family and community and embarking on a big adventure.

“I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to study at a prestigious overseas institution and to live in one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the world.”

Ruby completed her clinical psychology research thesis in the ACU Cognition and Emotion Research Centre. She was co-supervised by the Director of the Centre Professor Peter Rendell and Associate Professor Gill Terrett.

Professor Rendell said this study opportunity is a big step in Ruby developing as an Indigenous leader.

“This is a prestigious scholarship and past winners have gone on to have impressive careers,” he said. “Importantly, this is a big personal achievement as she had to secure a place on merit at the London School of Economics.

“This recognition of an ACU psychology graduate is a testament not only to her individual strengths, but to the School of Psychology as a whole, she was part of vibrant research culture, with psychology at ACU rated as well above world standard, according to the recent Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment.”

As Australia’s leading Catholic university, ACU is committed to a distinctive perspective on higher education; one that equips its students with the skills and knowledge to engage with the challenges of our contemporary world. ACU graduates are leaders, defined by a unique set of values and an understanding of how high ethical standards in decision-making have a positive impact on organisational success, communities and society at large.

Find out more about psychology at ACU.