SPIR graduate Hayley Pring is bound for the University of Oxford to study a Masters in International Relations.
Hayley Pring graduated with an Honours degree in International Relations and has now been accepted to Oxford University. Read more about Hayley’s story below.
Q: What degree did you complete at ANU?
I studied the Bachelor of Philosophy/Arts at ANU between 2012-2014 where I majored in International Relations and History. I then left ANU in 2015 and worked at a free-market think tank in Berlin that helped me grow my interest in the design of international institutions and their effect on state behaviour. I completed my honours in 2016, asking the question: why, at certain points in time, do autocratic regimes sign more liberalising and flexible trade agreements than democracies?
Q: Why did you choose to study at the ANU and how did this prepare you for your future studies?
I chose the PhB program at ANU as I was interested in self-directed research and the program allowed me to design and write mini theses during my degree. This kind of freedom to pursue your curiosity outside of the standard curriculum was unique to ANU – and it’s the reason I moved away from history and towards political science. I was offered a merit scholarship at ANU as a result of my high school grades, and decided moving from Western Australia was an ideal opportunity to study and live in a city with a strong political scene. My honours year at SPIR was critical for me in developing my research interests and training under the tutelage of an exceptional department. I enjoyed being able to study quantitative methods alongside political philosophy and this diversity meant I could approach complex problems in IR from varied perspectives, and I found a real drive that motivated me to apply for further study.
Q: Tell us about the opportunities this degree has provided you.
I have been accepted into the MPhil in International Relations at Oxford University and I’m extremely grateful to have received a full-ride scholarship for two years with the Governor Phillip scholarship and an additional Oxford-Australia James Fairfax scholarship. I hope to go on to pursue a PhD after this in the United States – with a particular interest in Princeton or Harvard’s PhD/JD joint degree. While I am aiming to pursue a career in academia, I would also like to be politically involved in the future and be able to play a role in bridging the divide between public knowledge and evidenced-based policy making.