Philanthropy & Social Investment Graduate Profiles

Leslie Falkiner-Rose - Current Student
Trustee/ Journalist
Ruffin Falkiner Foundation

I chose Swinburne University because of its unique postgraduate course offering in Philanthropy and Social Investment. I believed this program would help me sharpen my grant making skills and widen my research horizons.

The course aims to teach us how to give away money in the most strategic way possible. This involves understanding the practical and ethical complexities of grant making; analysing social problems and interventions; looking for the best ways to effect social change; implementing projects according to best practice and evaluating and learning from the successes and failures.

The lecturers, the wealth of practical knowledge and inspiration gained from the multitude of guest speakers who generously gave their time for (often intense) discussions in class, and the camaraderie and learning between fellow students, made this an excellent experience.

I now feel well-equipped to tackle the challenges associated with strategic philanthropy in either my current voluntary capacity as a trustee of a philanthropic foundation or in a future professional capacity. I also intend to marry my journalistic and philanthropic skills through further research and writing in the sector.