Leo Mahony Bursary

Leo Mahony Bursary

The Leo Mahony Bursary is awarded annually to a masters (by research) or doctoral scholar studying in the field of national security and defence at an ACT-based university.

The Bursary commemorates the memory and service of founding National Secretary of RUSI-A and long-time USI member and Counsellor, Mr Leo Mahony.

The Bursary comprises a one-off payment of $5000, which is provided by USI of the ACT with the generous support of our partner, Rolls-Royce Australia.  Recipients are also offered Honorary Membership of the Institute for 12 months.  The Bursary and certificate of Honorary Membership are traditionally presented at the Members' Dinner, which is held in September each year.

Who is eligible?

Australian citizens who:

• are studying at an ACT university;
• are enrolled in a Masters (by research) or PhD program that leads to a thesis;
• have an approved research proposal for their program; and
• have not previously won the Leo Mahony Bursary.

What are the selection criteria?

• Relevance. The research must contribute to the body of national security or defence knowledge.
  
• Innovation. Ideally, the research will address a new or under-examined area in the national security and defence sector. Historical papers are welcomed, but must demonstrate explicit relevance to contemporary or future issues.
  
• Academic merit. The research must have an appropriate standard of academic merit.
  

How to apply?

• Applications are due on 31 July 2017 to:

o       Email:    USIACT@rusi.org.au
o       Mail:      CP3-1-157, PO Box 7912, CANBERRA BC ACT 2610

·         Applications are to include:

o        a single page (400 words) application explaining how your research meets the selection criteria 

o        evidence that you are enrolled and in good academic standing with your academic institution

o        a copy of your approved research proposal        

·         Academic references are not required but will be considered

The Leo Mahony Bursary selection panel will consider applications in August.

The bursary will be presented at the USI-ACT annual dinner.

The winner will provide a presentation on their research to USI-ACT members during 2018.

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2016 Winners

On Thursday 23 March, at the Defence College, our two 2016 Bursary winners briefed members and guests on their respective projects.

Mr Cameron Hawker from UNSW Canberra described his work on Australian Prime Ministers and the Australian - American Alliance 1951 - 2001: Crisis Points and Political Decision Making.  He explained that the origins of his thesis lay in claims by the distinguished ANU scholar, Coral Bell, that Prime Minsters are the key figure in alliance policy.   His work tests that proposition in a series of case studies of crises ranging from Holt and LBJ managing the Vietnam War to Howard and Bush in the aftermath of 9/11. You can find the slides for the presentation here.  Cam is about half way through his research.

(Photo: USI)

Major Leon Young, also from UNSW Canberra, spoke about his work on Developing Computational Strategic Thinking Models.  He explained that his motivation was to determine whether strategic thinkers can be made, rather than just found, in an effort to understand where the ADF might put more emphasis in its professional military education programs.  The results of his research raise challenging questions for the Services, particularly in relation to some mid-level ranks.  You can find the slides for his presentation here. Leon has substantially completed his work and at the time of writing is due to submit his thesis imminently.

(Photo: USI)

Both speakers expressed their thanks to Rolls-Royce Australia and the USI of the ACT for their support. We wish them well for the remainder of their studies and for the future.

 

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Mr Leo Mahony

Mr Leo Mahony was foundation National Secretary of the Royal United Services Institute of Australia and an outstanding Defence civil servant.

Mahony was a career member of the Commonwealth public service, serving originally in the Department of Army and later the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD), before moving to the Department of Defence in the 1970s. During his long career, Mahony worked on many of the key defence, strategy and security matters of the time, including serving as secretary to a number of high-level Defence committees—including the Chiefs of Staff Committee—and working in the Defence headquarters environment for around 20 years.

As Secretary of the United Service Institution of the Australian Capital Territory, together with the then President, Major General Ron Hughes, Mahony proposed to the various state United Service Institutions that a national body be set up. This was agreed in 1974, and Mahony played an instrumental role in establishing, then managing, the new national body.

Mahony was National Secretary of RUSI for 26 years from 1979 to 2005, as well as Secretary of USI of the ACT for 28 years from 1976 to 2004.

The Royal United Services Institute, as a national institution, would not exist today had it not been for Leo.