Alumni Profile
Alumni Profile Ben Jones, a graduate from the Class of 2015 was announced as the NSW Rhodes Scholar Elect for 2021. Studying at Oxford will help him realise his vision to work with children, youth and families in Australia who face health inequities. Director of Alumni and Community Relations, Mandy Loomes, recently caught up with Ben. Did you always want to study Medicine when you finished school? I have always wanted to work in health. I believe that good health is one of many important factors that enable people to live the lives they wish to. Having the opportunity to contribute to this I think is an incredible privilege. What will you be studying at Oxford, and what do you hope to gain from these programs? I am hoping to study a DPhil at Oxford. I am most interested in tangible, translational research that explores programs and initiatives that are being implemented to improve child health across the world. I would like my research to be across areas such as public health, health services and system research, and health policy.
34 • The Barker • Issue 130 • Autumn 2021
When do you leave Australia for England? I leave October 2021 just after I finish up my final medical school exams. Where have you spent your time whilst at uni? I was fortunate enough to live on campus at UNSW for a number of years which really gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in a variety of activities outside of my studies. I was a staff member at the residential colleges for a number of years and really enjoyed contributing to what I saw to be a really welcoming, fun environment. I was involved in the student services organisation on campus Arc@UNSW, which was responsible for all the clubs and societies, social sport, the events and parties, student advocacy
branches, and a number of other great programs. I was also involved with the Indigenous programs unit where I made many friends and mentors, and played football with the UNSW Football Club. On less of a fun note, I had a number of experiences within the governance structures of the Uni, where I developed an appreciation of how big institutions work. Outside of Uni, I love spending time with my family, friends and community, travelling in the holidays, reading, and visiting Brewarrina in north western NSW where I am learning lots.
