From interpreting classrooms in Queensland to joining one of the world’s leading centres for Deaf studies in London, Bernadette Dillon has taken her passion for inclusive language to the global stage.
The 2025 Queensland Government John Monash Scholar is now studying a Master of Science in Language Sciences (Sign Language and Deaf Studies) at University College London (UCL), building on her work as an Auslan interpreter with the Queensland Department of Education and her commitment to improving access and opportunities for Deaf communities in Australia.
Bernadette describes her studies on the John Monash Scholarship as “energising”.
“The most exciting thing about my studies as a John Monash Scholar is the plethora of opportunities it presents,” Bernadette says.
“Knowing that the work I engage in can extend beyond academic theory and positively impact people’s lived experiences is deeply motivating.”
At UCL’s Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre, Bernadette is immersed in an interdisciplinary environment where linguistics intersects with psychology, neuroscience and education.
“I’ve had the opportunity to engage with experts from a wide range of disciplines, each offering distinct perspectives that refine my thinking.”
“Many of these academics have pioneered the very work I’ve cited in my own essays, so meeting the person behind a familiar name is both surreal and motivating.”
Beyond the classroom, London itself has become an extension of the learning experience. A typical day begins with lectures and discussions with leading academics and intellectually curious peers, often continuing in the cafés and libraries around campus.
Living at Goodenough College alongside students from around the world has added another layer to her experience.
“Alongside some fellow John Monash scholars, and other postgraduate students from around the world, I enjoy jazz nights, book clubs, formal events, and catching up with friends over a dining hall dinner; moments that are both intellectually and socially enriching.”
Bernadette describes the personal impact of her John Monash Scholarship as “life-changing”.
“One of the most important lessons has been recognising how my unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives can contribute to the field,” she says.
“The qualities that distinguish us are precisely what create the strongest foundations for meaningful impact.”
“Being surrounded by exceptional peers and world-leading academics can be intimidating, but I’ve come to understand that managing self-doubt is a skill in itself.”
Looking ahead, Bernadette hopes to help strengthen the connection between research, policy and the lived experiences of Deaf communities in Australia.
“I want to prioritise work that is informed by, and responsive to, the lived experience of Deaf individuals, particularly within the Australian context.”
Ultimately, she hopes her work will help reshape how deafness is understood across education, policy and society both in Australia and on the global stage.
Bernadette will continue her studies at the University College London on the Queensland Government John Monash Scholarship until the end of 2026.
