The British High Commission in Ottawa is proud to announce today the three Canadian recipients of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for 2024.
Among the distinguished group of scholars who have earned a fully-funded ride to a one-year master’s program in the UK, this year’s cohort includes Canada’s first-ever Indigenous Chevening Scholar, marking a significant milestone in the program’s history.
The UK Government’s esteemed global scholarship program aims to support individuals with the potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers. These scholarships provide full financial assistance for scholars to pursue eligible master’s degrees at any UK university, while also granting access to exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences. This year, one of Canada’s three Chevening scholarships is funded by Calgary-based energy company ATCO.
Conor Finan
Conor is a currently serving officer in the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve. Swearing into service as a Maritime Surface Officer at 18 years of age, Conor began his military career alongside his post-secondary education.
He studied at the University of Toronto, where earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, and Celtic Studies. While at U of T, Conor had the opportunity to nurture his broad interests in the law, the liberal arts, and political violence. Following his graduation, Conor spent five years working in the Canadian Pacific Fleet. He has since qualified as a Maritime Tactical Operator with the Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG), realizing a major career milestone. Conor’s most recent position was as the NTOG East Coast Detachment Commander, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
This Fall, Conor will be reading for his MPhil in Criminology at the University of Cambridge. Through his studies, Conor hopes to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms which drive effective counterterrorism policy. Conor intends to apply these lessons in Canada, through continued military service.