Wednesday 30th October 2024: 2021 Ramsay Postgraduate Scholar Blaise Joseph is driven to ensure a high-quality education in Australia is not just for the privileged few but rather is extended to all students. His ambition is to lead the effort in closing the achievement gap for disadvantaged students.
Originally from Canberra, he completed a Bachelor of Commerce (with a Co-op Scholarship) and a Master of Teaching from The University of New South Wales before working as a secondary school teacher in both public and private schools. Blaise has also worked in education policy, most recently for the Centre for Independent Studies.
With his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship, Blaise studied a PhD in Educational Leadership at New York University in the US, focussing on high-achieving schools in socially disadvantaged areas.
He is currently back in Australia, putting the final touches to his PhD which he will complete in December. Reflecting on his time as a Ramsay scholar, Blaise said it gave him the opportunity to deepen his knowledge, network with some of the world’s most eminent education scholars and join a community of young Australian leaders intent on making a difference. And of course to live in fast-paced New York, an energy he was drawn to immediately.
In his own words:
My time as a Ramsay Postgraduate Scholar has been a life-changing experience.
I was drawn to the scholarship because Paul Ramsay was well-known for being a man for others, so the Ramsay scholarships are unique in how they are oriented towards service in the context of advancing a better appreciation of Western civilisation among Australians. The scholarship enabled me to study a PhD in education policy at New York University (a world-leader in education research), better equipping me to help deepen young Australians’ appreciation and understanding of their cultural heritage in school when I return to education research in Australia.
Studying at NYU was incredible. The small classes were amazing opportunities to discuss education topics in a rigorous, deep, engaging, and respectful way. The professors really challenged everyone to think deeply about the content and advance sound arguments in an eloquent manner. All the students were very motivated — they arrived to class early and had all done the pre-readings! So the academic environment really challenged me to become a better thinker and writer.
While at NYU I presented some of my papers at several leading education academic conferences in the US including at the American Educational Research Association in Chicago and the Association for Education Finance and Policy in Denver. These were amazing opportunities to learn about many aspects of education policy and network with some of the world’s most eminent education scholars.
Living in New York was incredibly special. New York City is unique, there is no other city like it in the world. Aside from all of the attractions (the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 9/11 Memorial, etc.) and great social activities available for young people 24/7, what I really appreciated was the fast pace. Everyone is in a hurry, including at NYU. I was surrounded by people ambitious in the good sense and who strove to be the best in their field.
I also had a great time with fellow Ramsay Scholars studying in the US. A few times a year we met up to discuss our studies, some classical texts, and our aspirations for when we return to Australia. There is great camaraderie among the Ramsay scholars in the US and Canada, and I’ve made many wonderful friends.
As for the future, I am aiming to finish my doctorate at the end of 2024. I have learnt a huge amount about quantitative research methods, education policy evaluation, sociology of education, philosophy of education, and the history of education. I can honestly say that I now have a much deeper and well-rounded knowledge of education than when I started and have learnt more through my postgraduate study than in any of my previous degrees.
Armed with my new knowledge, I am more passionate than ever about ensuring that a high-quality education in Australia is not just for the privileged few but rather is extended to all students. And this must include a deep understanding of and appreciation for our Western cultural heritage. I want to research high-achieving Australian schools that serve disadvantaged students, so that their success stories can become better known and help other schools to improve.
Interested in a Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship? Our scholarships support outstanding, thoughtful and imaginative young Australian leaders to study at the world’s best overseas universities and are valued at up to AUD$90,000 p.a. For more information go to: https://www.ramsaycentre.org/scholarships-courses/postgraduate-scholarships/
To read more about Blaise Joseph and his cohort of our inaugural 2021 Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars go to: https://www.ramsaycentre.org/scholarships-courses/postgraduate-scholarships/2021-ramsay-centre-scholars/
Media contact: Sarah Switzer 0407 816 098/ sarah.switzer@ramsaycentre.org
For more information on the Centre please visit our website: www.ramsaycentre.org