Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship: 2023 Recipient

The APS Academy congratulates Katherine Van Gurp as the inaugural Dr Margot McCarthy Scholar.

Ms Van Gurp is the National Manager, Strategy and Performance Office at the Australian Federal Police. She was selected from a number of outstanding applications from a diverse range of nominees and agencies. While at the AFP and across her work in the public service, Ms Van Gurp has made a significant contribution to public policy, has championed diversity, and demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the development of future leaders. 

The Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship will support Ms Van Gurp to complete the Executive Public Leaders Programme at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University in July 2023 and participate in an international secondment to embed the learning.

After completing her scholarship, Ms Van Gurp will share her learnings as an APS Academy practitioner to pass on what she has learned and her expertise.

A portrait photo of Katherine Van Gurp

About the Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship

The Australian Public Service Commission and the Secretaries Talent Council created the Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship in recognition of Dr McCarthy’s contribution to the Australian Public Service. Dr Margot McCarthy was a valued colleague, friend and mentor to many across the APS.  She generously dedicated her time, passion and vision to significant public policy throughout her public service career.

Dr McCarthy built a strong career in the national security community. She served in various critical positions including the Australian Government’s National Security Adviser and leading Prime Minister and Cabinet’s National Security and International Policy Group. Later in her career Dr McCarthy moved into aged care, as Deputy Secretary of the Ageing and Aged Care Group at the Department of Health.

Dr McCarthy helped establish the APS Academy and the Faculty in 2021. She engaged across the APS, inspiring conversations and action, contributing to improving the capability of the APS. She made a deep impact and is remembered as an exceptional leader and mentor.

For more information on the Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship please visit the scholarship page­­­­­ or email leadership@apsc.gov.au.

More learning programs

The APS Academy offers other programs in addition to the Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship:

  • The Jawun APS Secondment Program provides APS employees (APS6 and higher) virtual or in-place secondment opportunities across Jawun’s 12 regions of engagement. Participants support Indigenous organisations to achieve development goals while developing their own leadership.
  • The Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship Program is open to Executive Level employees to pursue doctoral-level research at the Australian National University (ANU) on a topic of national significance.
  • The Pat Turner Scholarship Program is open to APS4 to SES Band 1 First Nations employees to pursue postgraduate research or coursework at the ANU or Charles Darwin University.
  • The SES Band 2 Leadership Development Program strengthens the leadership capability of senior executives to effectively perform their high-level responsibilities.

For leadership and development opportunities at various levels visit the Leadership and Management page on the APS Academy website.

Last updated