2026 postgraduate scholarship recipients to drive the next generation of social impact

The Centre for Social Impact (CSI) is pleased to announce its 2026 postgraduate scholarship recipients, supporting social purpose leaders through accessible, impact-driven education.

24 students from CSI’s four partner universities have been awarded scholarships worth more than $100,000, with this year’s scholars selected for their strong commitment to social justice, measurable community impact and demonstrated leadership in driving systems-level change.

Their diverse lived and professional experiences span climate resilience, gender equity, community-led development, social enterprise, and inclusive economic participation, bringing perspectives that foster innovative solutions and lasting social impact.

Since launching its scholarship program, the Centre for Social Impact has awarded more than 240 postgraduate scholarships across Australia, investing over $1.22 million in people working to create positive change.

Acting CEO Rosemary Conn said the 2026 scholars were chosen for the richness of their experience and their shared dedication to social impact.

“In partnership with our university collaborators and generous supporters, we are empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to deepen their practice and extend their impact,” she explained.

“The real measure of this work is what our students go on to achieve after graduation. We see their learning come to life in communities across the country – leading with confidence, building capability and driving meaningful, lasting change.”

This year CSI is proud to invest in changemakers like Paul Bennell, who is undertaking a Graduate Certificate of Social Impact at UNSW. Paul is currently the Relationships and Fundraising Manager at Feel the Magic, a not-for-profit organisation helping children and families access grief support.

“Opportunities like this help translate good intentions into better systems, stronger programs, and ultimately greater impact for the people we serve… My hope is this scholarship will help strengthen my ability to grow organisations, influence industry systems, and ultimately expand access to support for people experiencing vulnerability.”

At CSI Flinders, scholarship recipient, Argyro Vourdoumpa, brings a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and community connection to her studies, informed by her work with multicultural communities in South Australia.

“As a woman from a migrant background, the first in my family to pursue higher studies and someone who has rebuilt her life across countries, this scholarship holds deep personal significance. It strengthens my ability to translate lived experience into measurable, systemic impact,” Argyro explained.

CSI Swinburne scholar Melissa Gulbin is a communications professional with experience across community housing and emergency response, including during the 2022/2023 Lismore floods in northern NSW.

“This scholarship will help me support grassroots groups to clearly show the impact they’re making… I want to help more place-based communities who are unfairly facing the brunt of the climate crisis, to turn lived experience into a really rigorous business case to attract support.”

Studying social impact at the University of Western Australia, Sarah Brown’s expertise sits at the intersection of social enterprise, gender equity, and employment reform.

“Receiving this scholarship from the Centre for Social Impact means I can connect my corporate experience with my work in social enterprise and strengthen my understanding of how real social change happens. My goal is to use this learning to help shift workplaces from expecting people to adapt to rigid structures so women can access secure, flexible and meaningful work that fits their lives - not the other way around.”

CSI congratulates all its 2026 scholarship recipients across UNSW, Flinders University, Swinburne University of Technology and The University of Western Australia. Together, this cohort reflects the diversity, depth and ambition of the country’s social impact community.

2026 Centre for Social Impact Scholarship recipients

Wendy Abramovich (Swinburne)

Paul Bennell (UNSW)

Hannah Bourne (Flinders)

Elloise Bridge (Flinders)

Sarah Brown (UWA)

Kira Coghlan (Flinders)

Danielle Conlan (Flinders)

Emma Crawford (Flinders)

Tahnee Davies (UWA)

Diana Dimitrov (Flinders)

David Frost (UWA)

Rohana Fullarton (Flinders)

Melissa Gulbin (Swinburne)

ZinZan Hunt Rosacker (Swinburne)

Brigitte Johnson (Swinburne)

Joshua Lawlor (Flinders)

Angela O’Connell (UNSW)

Victoria Orpin (Flinders)

Emily Scott (Flinders)

Kiththangodage Tharanga De Silva (UWA)

Robert Vitali-Lawn (UNSW)

Argyro Vourdoumpa (Flinders)

Belinda Williams (UWA)