First Nations lawyer and Strategy and Planning Specialist Emma Garlett is headed to the University of Oxford, after being awarded this year’s Wesfarmers John Monash Scholar, Australia’s most prestigious postgraduate overseas study program.

Ms Garlett, a proud a Nyiyaparli-Yamatji-Nyungar woman who previously worked at BHP (in 2014-15) and has since returned to work at BHP this year, says she is honoured at her selection and expects to take up her studies at the prestigious United Kingdom-based university in late 2022.

She will study a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Civil Laws with a focus on integrating the rights of Traditional Owners in mining strategy decisions that affect the land, water and air.

“I want to further my education in business and law to be able to contribute to the future of mining by proposing innovative solutions and bring comfort to the mining industry as it makes business changes to operate with a greater social licence,” Emma explained.

“Having both an MBA and BCL from Oxford will provide me with the qualifications necessary to apply the learning back to the business to improve our operations, community initiatives, mine rehabilitation, water stewardship, corporate governance, and external affairs, to do things better, faster.”



At BHP, we love that our employees think and act big and are inspired to be their best selves, both at work and in the community. Emma is a great example of this.



Emma’s long term career goal is to be a member of BHP’s Board of Directors, following in the footsteps of one of her role models former WA State Treasurer Ben Wyatt, also a lawyer who is now a leader in WA’s mining sector.

“Mining is one of the biggest contributors to Australia’s economy and due to my location and skills, I am in a position where I can effect change in mining to improve the future for all Australians,” she said.

“I want to bring comfort to companies as they make business and strategic changes to operate with a greater social licence by utilising renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint, exploring the use of blockchain technology to improve operations, and including Traditional Owners in the current and future strategic development in mining.”

BHP has been proud to partner with the Sir John Monash Foundation since 2012.