Friday 16 January 2026: 2024 Ramsay Scholarship recipient Oscar Martin is an international relations scholar, studying a Master in International Security at the esteemed Sciences Po University in Paris. His course focus is diplomacy and global risks, which he hopes will lay the foundation for a career in conflict analysis, resolution, and diplomacy.
Originally from Adelaide, Oscar studied Philosophy, Politics, and International Relations at the University of Melbourne, before working as a University tutor, and in strategy and consulting for Deloitte Digital.
Reflecting on his Scholarship, Oscar says it has been transformative.
It has afforded him the opportunity to attend the top-ranked European university for his discipline, Sciences Po; a truly global institution with extensive overseas networks. Sciences Po alumni include French President Emmanuel Macron, former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and former heads of international organisations.
The Scholarship has also enabled him to engage fully in his studies, pursue work experience and take advantage of opportunities for professional development and scholarly exchange. And of course live in Paris, ‘one of the most beautiful and romantic cites in the world’.
In his own words:
The Ramsay Scholarship has been transformative. It has given me the freedom to pursue an intellectually demanding program overseas while remaining grounded in the traditions of Western political and philosophical thought that shaped my early academic career in the history of philosophy. I was drawn to the Ramsay Scholarship because of its emphasis on intellectual seriousness, character, and service, as well as its commitment to supporting scholars who seek to bridge theory and practice. As a relatively young program, I was also excited to be an early contributor and participant in a growing network of ambitious scholars who had a similar commitment to learning and contributing back to Australia.
My academic path began in philosophy and political theory, and Ramsay’s mission resonated strongly with my desire to apply these foundations to contemporary challenges in international security and diplomacy. The scholarship has allowed me to engage fully in my studies at Sciences Po, pursue work experience alongside my degree, and take advantage of opportunities for travel, professional development, and scholarly exchange — opportunities that would not have been possible without this support.
I am currently in my final year of a Master in International Security at Sciences Po. My studies focus on geopolitical risk, the ethics of AI in war, and the interaction between morality, norms, and decision-making in international security. A central academic interest has been the ethical challenges posed by emerging military technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. I have explored these issues through coursework on just war theory, preparedness, and defence investment.
I have valued courses that combine theory with practice, such as Geopolitical Risk Analysis and the Ethics of War, as well as the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and practitioners through lectures and public events. Together, these experiences have reinforced the global reach and practical relevance of my studies.
Studying at Sciences Po is both demanding and deeply rewarding. The teaching style emphasises rigorous debate, critical analysis, and policy relevance, with a strong expectation that students engage independently and thoughtfully with complex material. Compared to my previous academic experiences, Sciences Po places greater emphasis on professional engagement and applied learning, while maintaining strong theoretical foundations. Its highly international student body and proximity to global policy networks create an environment that closely mirrors the professional fields many students aspire to enter.
The truly global nature of the academic community at Sciences Po has been a highlight of my experience here. While studying in Paris has provided an international perspective in itself, the relationships formed through the program have extended far beyond France. During my internship with Geopolitical Strategy, a boutique geopolitical advisory firm, I travelled to New York for client meetings and was fortunate to reconnect with close friends from my degree who were undertaking internships at the United Nations and with their respective delegations. Seeing peers apply what we study in different institutional settings was deeply motivating.
I recently returned from Jordan, meeting colleagues from Sciences Po who are studying Arabic there. These experiences reflect how the Ramsay Scholarship has enabled me not only to study in Paris, but to engage with peers and professional opportunities across the world.
Beyond the classroom, life has been formative and enriching. I have focused on developing my French language skills through intensive study, which has helped me integrate more fully into life in Paris.
Living in Paris has been incredible, the access to different experiences and institutions where I can explore art, history and culture is unparalleled. I’ve been taking full advantage of opportunities to explore museums and local cafes and food as well. The recent heavy snowfall in Paris has highlighted that it is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world, which always helps deepen the experience of living abroad.
Being part of the Ramsay community abroad has been both grounding and intellectually enriching. Despite being spread across different institutions and countries, the network fosters a strong sense of connection, generosity, and shared purpose.
A genuine highlight was when Ramsay scholars based in Europe were invited to Berlin for a three-day series of workshops and lectures focused on history, international affairs, leadership, and career reflection. The program was intellectually stimulating and professionally formative, and meeting fellow scholars from across Europe reinforced the strength and depth of the Ramsay scholarly community.
As for what’s next, in the near term, I aim to continue working in geopolitical risk and international security analysis, particularly in environments that bridge public policy and strategic decision-making. In the longer term, I hope to pursue a career in international affairs, ideally representing Australia with a strong grounding in ethics, history, and international affairs.
My goal is to contribute to the development of norms and policies that strengthen democratic institutions and promote stability in an increasingly contested global environment — a commitment that has been shaped and reinforced by my studies and by the support of the Ramsay Scholarship.
Interested in a Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship? Our scholarships support young Australian leaders to study at the world’s best overseas universities and are valued at up to AUD$100,000 p.a.
Applications for 2026 will be open from 2 February to 23 March 2026. For more information visit: https://ramsaypostgradscholarship.com/
Media contact: Sarah Switzer 0407 816 098 / sarah.switzer@ramsaycentre.org