Tuckwell Scholar and PPE grad becomes Stanford researcher

 Matthew Jacob, BPPE (Hons. '17), is a former Tuckwell Scholar and CASS Student Ambassador, who has secured a research position at Stanford University.

Matthew Jacob, BPPE (Hons. '17), is a former Tuckwell Scholar and CASS Student Ambassador, who has secured a research position at Stanford University.

A high-achieving former Tuckwell Scholarship recipient, now CASS alumnus, has begun a research position at Stanford University.

Matthew Jacob (B PPE Hons, ’17) will spend at least six months as a Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research.

“I will be working under Assistant Professor of Law, Colleen Honigsberg, looking at the economic impact of financial regulation,” Matthew says.

The former CASS Student Ambassador says he received the position after applying online, and the timing coincided with his December 2017 graduation with honours in economics.

“I applied for this position to develop my econometric and empirical analysis skills in a public policy context,” Matthew says.

“And it should provide a great basis from which to build towards a PhD.” 

Matthew moved to Canberra from Sydney to study the multidisciplinary Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (BPPE), in which he thrived.

He was a member of the ANU Debating Society, worked with Canberra high school students through the Raising Hope Foundation, and also spent time at a summer school in China.

“The decision to join the ANU has been life-changing,” he says.

“The opportunities available to you as a student are incredible, whether they be internships, exchanges or research opportunities.

“I also cannot recommend more highly moving out of home to attend university. While it may seem difficult to leave family and friends behind, living on campus and embracing all that the university has to offer is well worth it and a once-in-your-life opportunity.

“The ANU is such that if you have a vision or passion for something, you will have the resources and expertise around you to make it happen.” 

Matthew says being part of the Tuckwell program was integral to his ANU experience.

“I was incredibly fortunate to have the support of an individual Tuckwell mentor throughout my undergraduate studies and they helped me to navigate through difficult times and tough decisions,” he recalls.

“And my peers in the program were a constant source of inspiration and more than anything, the most incredible friends and, in my case, housemates.” 

The basketball and soccer player is also a big believer in trying new things, even if they don’t work out.

“I changed degree programs no less than three times and even a month before graduating, did not know I would be joining Stanford after honours,” he says.

“Keep your options open, experiment and apply yourself and you will find that opportunities will come your way.” 

Learn more about the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and the ANU Tuckwell Scholarships.