Catherine Zhou with Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria
Monash University alumna, Catherine Zhou, has been awarded the 2025 Rhodes Scholarship for Victoria by the Governor, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, during a ceremony at Government House.
The prestigious scholarship is awarded to nine distinguished Australians each year, enabling the recipient to pursue graduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Catherine will travel to Oxford in September 2025, where she intends to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in Law, with a focus on public law.
"I want to use my studies at Oxford to examine the uses of history in public law interpretation, and also actively contribute to the work of research institutes, such as the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights and the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies," Catherine said.
Catherine graduated from Monash in December 2022 with a double degree in Arts and Law, achieving First Class Honours in Law, and was the recipient of a number of prestigious awards and prizes including the University Medal in Law, the Supreme Court Prize, and the Sir John Monash Medal for Outstanding Achievement.
Since her graduation from Monash, Catherine has worked across academia, government, and the judiciary developing a deep understanding and interest in public law. Her work with the Australian Government saw her assist the Solicitor-General and Attorney-General in High Court matters relating to constitutional, administrative and environmental law. Catherine is currently working as an Associate to Justice Perry in the Federal Court of Australia.
"I am grateful for the public law expertise I have developed through my work across academia, civil society, the judiciary and government. Each of these experiences has enriched my understanding of the law and the ways that law can be disrupted and changed.
"I hope to further develop my understanding of public law at Oxford, so that I can pursue a career as a barrister and academic in constitutional and administrative law. I am particularly motivated to contribute to democratic and institutional reform, and to create systems of public governance which uplift historically marginalised perspectives," Catherine said.
Monash University Pro Vice-Chancellor Major Campuses and Student Engagement, Professor David Copolov AO said Monash was immensely proud of Catherine's achievement.
"Monash has an impressive record of producing exemplary Rhodes Scholars who have gone on to have a profound impact in their chosen fields. Catherine's determination to advocate for minority groups and work with communities towards structural reform and social change are values held by both Monash and the Rhodes Trust," Professor Copolov said.
During her time at Monash, Catherine participated in numerous extra-curricular activities including advocating for refugees and asylum seekers, volunteering as editor of the Monash University Law Review, and gaining valuable work experience through the Eleos Justice Anti-Death Penalty Clinic.
"Catherine's achievements during her time at Monash exemplify the opportunities afforded by an interdisciplinary and transformative education. We wish Catherine all the best for her time at Oxford and look forward to welcoming her back to Monash in the future so that other students can learn from her experience," said Professor Copolov.
The Rhodes Trust awards nine scholarships each year to outstanding Australians to study at the University of Oxford. One Rhodes scholarship is offered in each state (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania) and three for Australia-at-large.
