QS Academic Excellence Scholarship: 2015’s Winner

We’re pleased to announce that the winner of this year’s QS Academic Excellence Scholarship is Stephen Jarvis, a graduate of the UK’s London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) who is preparing to start a master’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley in the US.

Worth US$10,000, the QS Academic Excellence Scholarship is awarded annually to support a student enrolling in a master’s or PhD program, anywhere in the world. Applicants are assessed based on academic success to date, alongside their potential to continue to excel and to make a significant contribution within academia or another sector.

Stephen is returning to the academic world after several years of working for the UK government on energy policy, having graduated with a BA in Economics in 2012. After completing a master’s in energy and resources at Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group (ERG), he plans to pursue a PhD, ultimately aiming at a role in policy development and consultancy.

“Not just armchair theorizing”

Having already been placed on a fast-track program heading towards doctoral research, Stephen is keen to ensure he stays in close contact with real-world issues and challenges. He’s already co-authored a research paper with two academics at Lancaster University, focusing on the growth in global demand for energy and carbon emissions.

The trends highlighted by this research, Stephen says, have raised several questions he’s keen to pursue further – such as whether there is a “natural” rate at which we can move away from carbon-intensive energy sources, or whether attempts to reduce energy demand by improving efficiency are ultimately self-defeating.

“For me this kind of research is not just armchair theorizing”, he says. “I firmly believe that answering these kinds of questions is critical to understanding why we use the energy that we do, and how we can implement tangible change in the future.”

Plans for a career in policy-making

After completing his master’s and PhD, Stephen hopes to return to the world of policy-making, with ambitions of establishing a consultancy dedicated to advising on energy and climate change issues. Having already established a strong set of contacts within the UK, he says “the experience of studying in the US at one of the top universities in my field will really help me broaden my horizons and forge the new relationships needed to make this dream a reality.”

The program at UC Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group appealed to Stephen largely thanks to its interdisciplinary nature. The core structure, Stephen says, is “designed to ensure students gain a good grounding in a range of relevant disciplines, including economics, public policy, environmental science, engineering and research methods.”

In addition, he was of course attracted by the strong reputation of the faculty and the university as a whole. “UC Berkeley is a global leader in research, particularly in the energy field through its links with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.”

And – having spent the past three years working in chilly Scotland – the prospect of some Californian sunshine doubtless added to Berkeley’s appeal!

Advice for other applicants

Receiving the QS Academic Excellence Scholarship was a major milestone, meaning Stephen has now secured the funding necessary for his first year of graduate studies. Aside from the financial aspect, he also highlights the sense of personal validation and encouragement provided by the award, as he prepares for this next stage in his development.

For others applying for scholarships, Stephen’s first piece of advice is to always ask someone else to read your applications and provide constructive feedback. “If it’s someone who knows where you’re coming from, they can often think of things that you hadn’t, as well as helping you tighten up the text and check your grammar.”

He also stresses the importance of avoiding becoming “fatalistic about your chances of success” – pointing out that he received plenty of rejection letters himself, before this success. Being able to cope with rejections and maintain faith in yourself is all part of the process; persevere and you will eventually find the right opportunity.