Flinders PhD student Jesse Barker Gale met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday when he was one of just five South Australian PhD students to receive a 2016 Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship in Canberra.

Mr Barker Gale is a former participant in Flinders University’s Washington Internship Program and an expert in US politics.

Since returning from Washington he has been instrumental in building Australia-US relations, including facilitating a visit to Adelaide earlier this year by leading US Congressman Jim McDermott.

His current research examines the legitimacy of the ‘security community’ concept in the Asia Pacific, particularly as it may apply to the Australia-US-Japan relationship.

Professor Don Debats, Head of American Studies at Flinders University, said it was a remarkable and well deserved achievement.

“Jesse is an outstanding student and researcher who always goes the extra mile in pursuit of excellence, so this is a fitting recognition of that approach,” says Professor Debats.

“Since participating in the Washington Internship Program in 2012, he has gone on to establish significant relationships between the US and Australia and he is a bright talent for the future.

“His Endeavour Scholarship is well deserved and we are very proud of him at Flinders.”

About the Endeavour Scholarships

The Australian Government Department of Education and Training administers the Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships. The Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships aim to build Australia’s reputation for excellence in the provision of education and research, support the internationalisation of the Australian higher education and research sectors and offer high-achieving individuals from overseas and Australia opportunities to increase their productivity and expertise in their field.