Brotherhood Partners with ANZ to Launch Research Fellowship

Welfare not for profit, Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) has partnered with ANZ to launch a new research fellowship supporting talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The ANZ Tony Nicholson Research Fellowship is named after the BSL’s executive director, who will step away from the role at the end of December after 13 years.

The fellowship looks to recognise Nicholson’s years of leadership in advocating for disadvantaged Australians, by helping young people seeking a career in applied social policy research.

ANZ chief executive officer Shayne Elliott said the fellowship would help further Nicholson’s legacy by fostering the next generation of Australian researchers.

“This new fellowship will help talented young researchers contribute to the significant legacy Tony Nicholson has built across Australia’s social policy landscape,” Elliott said.

“Not only has Tony’s work helped countless Australians, his leadership has also been instrumental in the longevity and success of ANZ’s partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence.

“Through this partnership we have developed a number of innovative programs, such as the matched savings program Saver Plus, which supports the social and economic participation of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.”

Fellowship recipients will be based at BSL’s Research and Policy Centre in Fitzroy, and will undertake a six month internship pursuing BSL program-practise aligned research.

Priority issues of shared interest with ANZ – including financial wellbeing, environmental sustainability and housing – will also be a research focus.

Shelley Mallett, the general manager of BSL’s Research and Policy Centre added that fellowship recipients would be able to become part of BSL’s research and services practice teams.

“This fellowship presents an opportunity to further develop the talents and capabilities of the next generation of social policy leaders and help build their career pathways,” Mallett said.

“The ANZ Tony Nicholson Research Fellowship will create the opportunity for each recipient to become part of the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s research and services practice teams as they take up new grant and research opportunities.

“It will also help them develop the professional networks related to their field of research, including with ANZ and the wider financial services industry.”

ANZ will contribute a seed donation to establish this six-month fellowship annually for a minimum period of 10 years.

Fellowship recipients will be chosen by BSL.