Trinity College’s Alice Ferguson-O’Brien Wins 2026 Rhodes Scholarship

Alice Ferguson-O’Brien will begin fully funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford in 2026.

An advocate for vulnerable communities and a crusader for a sustainable future, Trinity College student Alice Ferguson-O’Brien has been named a 2026 Rhodes Scholar.

Alice is among 11 young Canadians to be awarded one of the world’s most prestigious academic honours in recognition for notable personal accomplishments, meaningful community impact and distinguished academic excellence.

“It is an honour to be selected as a Rhodes Scholar. Being part of a diverse, interdisciplinary and engaged group of Rhodes Scholars will prepare me to find creative and strategic solutions to help make communities more resilient. I look forward to contributing to the Rhodes community and pursuing research that will make a meaningful impact,” says Alice, a double major in Cognitive Science and Philosophy, who received a U of T National Scholarship.

In October 2026, she will join fellow U of T Rhodes Scholar Adham Elsherbini and over 100 scholars from around the world to study at the University of Oxford, where she plans to pursue a Master of Social Comparative Policy and Applied Digital Health.

“We are so proud of Alice – she is a committed, principled and inspiring young leader who exemplifies the best of Trinity College and of Canada,” says Professor Nicholas Terpstra, Provost & Vice Chancellor, Trinity College. “Along with her exceptional academic accomplishments, she demonstrates unwavering commitment to community grounded in empathy and resilience. Alice’s record of service and leadership are outstanding, and she has been a transformative presence at Trinity College, the University of Toronto and beyond.”

Alice’s story is one of profound personal courage that has been shaped by her family and community. Alice grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she was inspired by the wide network of people who supported her and her family. Through them, she learned about the need for compassion and the network of care to support vulnerable people, like her disabled brother. She also worries about the state of health, especially in rural and remote communities. This lived experience has forged her academic, research and personal interests to focus on wellbeing and building resilient communities, and her determination to advocate for inclusive, just and supportive policies at every level.

“Mental health crises are complex and devastating, and I am passionate about finding and implementing robust approaches to care for people,” Alice says. “I hope to use my education to better understand, help, care for and connect with vulnerable people, and to ensure that people are given the tools and the power to shape the policies that matter to them.”

Along with her academic pursuits, she has been an advocate for the climate justice movement. In high school, she co-founded Fridays for Future St. John’s, building one of the largest climate demonstrations in Newfoundland’s history. At Trinity and U of T, she was a member of Climate Justice UofT, successfully advocating for fossil fuel divestment. In addition, through the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Program, she conducted research on conspiracy theories, wellbeing and the cognitive science of belief. Alice also plays a leadership role in the Arctic Mayors’ Forum (AMF), where she works with Arctic leaders, youth and community members to ensure that local voices across the Arctic are represented in global decision-making. As a project assistant with AMF, Alice helps lead policy workshops on topics such as health, tourism, education, climate, and most recently the Arctic Youth Futures Workshop on Wellbeing and Empowerment at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland. Her work with Arctic communities has been supported by the Laidlaw Program and the Trinity College Experiential Learning Fund.

Even with a hectic schedule, Alice balances the demands of school, work and co-curricular activities with energy and happiness, surrounded by a supportive friend-group at Trinity. “Use your energy to the fullest! Be present, be open and find opportunities. Pursue things that you find genuinely interesting, and do what’s exciting, brings you joy and have fun,” she says, noting that her other interests span student government leadership roles at U of T and Trinity, Hart House choir and the arts, intramural innertube waterpolo, among other activities.

When she finishes graduate studies, she plans to return home to St. John’s. Her achievements and success, she says, are a tribute to her community of family, friends and neighbours who have been her safety net. “All of these people who raised me as a village when I was younger – this scholarship feels like a shared accomplishment,” Alice adds. “I am grateful to my family and so many friends, professors, mentors, coaches and peers who have supported me over the years.”

Trinity College has a stellar record of producing leaders who go on to make a difference. Alice joins an impressive list of Trinity students awarded Rhodes Scholarships whose portraits adorn the Scholars Room in the John W. Graham Library.

Categories: Announcements; Awards & Honours; College News; Student News