Two University of Tasmania alumni have received $120,000 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships for 2026.
Neve Clippingdale completed her undergraduate degree with honours at the University’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship will allow her to extend her honours project through a PhD at IMAS.
Neve’s research is on a Southern Ocean microscopic marine plant which has the potential to be used as a proxy for reconstructing past sea surface temperatures in the Southern Ocean and around Antarctica. It will help improve our understanding of how these regions may respond to future climate change.
“The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is incredible,” she said.
“It provides opportunity to transform passion into action. It supports people with vision, helping them make a difference while inspiring others to believe they can too.”
Neve said the scholarship represents the opportunity to accelerate the impact she hopes to make in areas she is deeply passionate about, particularly 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 is a 2025 graduate of a Bachelor of Education at the University of Tasmania. His Westpac scholarship will see him travel 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 and create more inclusive educational outcomes for Australians,” Jacob said.
Westpac Scholars Trust is committed to awarding 100 scholarships every year, forever. Since 2015, the Trust and its university partners have invested more than $50 million into developing next generation leaders, celebrating over a decade of backing bold thinkers and momentum-makers who move our country forward.
Amy Lyden, CEO of Westpac Scholars Trust says, “These scholarships do far more than provide funding – they open doors.”
“Scholars gain leadership development, global experiences and a powerful lifelong network that accelerates their ideas and amplifies their impact on Australia’s future,” she said.
For more information on Westpac Scholars Trust and this year’s scholars visit Westpac Scholars.
Media contact: Katherine Johnson (Communications Manager Advancement) on 0477 108 162 or Katherine.Johnson@utas.edu.au
