Ottilie Allen
I chose to study at ANU for the global opportunities available to students.
Imagine a world where scientific breakthroughs outpace morality: designer babies, paused aging, and AI-driven healthcare. Bioethics addresses the ethical dilemmas posed by rapid innovation. For Ottilie Allen, this intersection of science and ethics became one of the most compelling aspects of her studies at the Australian National University (ANU).
A student of the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics / Bachelor of Science, Ottilie recalls, “My bioethics course was one of my favourite subjects because it grounded the importance of ethical decision-making within a scientific context. As we navigate the world beyond the fourth industrial revolution, ethical frameworks must be constructed to allow us to use disruptive technologies for good.”
But there was one primary reason Ottilie chose to study at the nation’s university, “I chose to study at ANU for the global opportunities available to students,” she says.
As a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Social Sciences, she participated in a number of extra-curriculars, from playing for the ANU Women’s Football Club to serving as a Social Representative on the Bruce Hall Common Room Committee in 2022. She also represented her residence in Interhall Sport and coached the Women’s AFL Team the same year.
Ottilie’s academic journey extended globally as an ANU Outbound Ambassador, creating content for ANU Global Programs while studying at the National University of Singapore during an exchange in Semester 2, 2023. Closer to home, she joined the Australian National Internships Program (ANIP), securing a placement in the Office of Dr. Sophie Scamps MP at Parliament House in Semester 1, 2024. There, she produced a report on policymaking that prioritises the well-being of future generations.
Reflecting on her time at ANU, Ottilie fondly remembers study breaks on Kambri lawns and seemingly running into everyone on the walk down University Avenue. Originally from Sydney, she says, “It might be cliché, but my favourite thing about Canberra is the people. Due to its small size, Canberra has a welcoming and inclusive community, which makes it an incredibly easy place to live and study. I am incredibly grateful for my time at ANU, particularly for the friends who have come to feel like my second family.”
As Ottilie nears graduation, she plans to continue learning, meeting new people, and saving for future travels.
