Overview
Alexander (Sandy) Duncanson died in June 2010 at the age of 37, after living with cancer for sixteen years. Sandy was a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tasmania. Strongly influenced by his experience as a law student visiting asylum seekers at Woomera Detention Centre in 2002, Sandy’s professional life was dedicated to advancing social justice. Sandy was widely respected for his work in the community legal and housing sectors, where he acted as an advocate for the vulnerable. The family and friends of Sandy Duncanson have worked with University staff who taught or knew Sandy to raise money to establish an endowed fund in his name, to provide support to students passionate about social justice in perpetuity.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to connect with Anja Hilkemeijer (anja.hilkemeijer@utas.edu.au) This will provide the applicant with support to describe the social justice project / activity or greater social justice impact through increased volunteering.
Eligibility
Please note: This scholarship is part of the Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Fund and offers two distinct opportunities—one for a social justice project or activity and one for expanding on a current volunteering commitment. While applicants may apply for both, only one scholarship will be awarded across the two options.
Please also see the Sandy Duncanson Volunteering Scholarship.
- Available to a student in any area of study with a demonstrated commitment to social justice. Social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and equality.
- Scholarship Applicants must outline a social justice project or activity and explain how they would use the scholarship to implement it.
- The project or activity may:
- Involve working with an established organisation on a recognised issue, OR
- Be an entirely new initiative.
- Project Proposal – Outline of the proposed project or activity.
- Budget Outline – Estimated costs involved in implementing the project.
- Timeframe – Timeline for executing the project.
- Impact Statement – Description of:
- How the project will impact the applicant’s life.
- How the project will contribute to broader social justice outcomes.
The Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Fund links closely with the annual Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Lecture which invites eminent speakers to address the subject of social justice and related matters.
For previous Lecture speakers click here.
On-going Eligibility
- The successful applicant for this scholarship will be expected to provide a short written update report halfway through their project and make a short (5 minute) presentation at the Annual Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Lecture.
- Achieve a minimum Pass result in all units studied each semester
Amount
Up to $6,000
Duration
One year
Opening Date
28 August 2026
Closing Date
30 October 2026
Apply
Apply online prior to closing date. Applications cannot be submitted after closing date.
As applicants will be assessed on the quality of application, all questions should be answered in full. Please ensure care is taken with spelling and grammar.
Application status
Not yet open
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