Initially uncertain about his future after high school, Reuben Owusu’s affinity for the humanities, coupled with his desire to meet family expectations, led him to enrol in a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) degree at The Australian National University (ANU).

Reuben's decision to study at ANU not only allowed him to remain close to family and friends in Canberra, but it also introduced him to Associate Professor Joshua Neoh—an academic mentor who would become an important part of Reuben’s law school journey.

“Associate Professor Neoh has made a lot of time for me over the past few years, and I owe him a great deal,” Reuben said. “I’ve learnt a lot from him, perhaps especially because we disagree about quite a few things.”

Those disagreements led to many lively conversations with Associate Professor Neoh.

“Reuben could discuss any legal-philosophical topic at the drop of a hat,” Associate Professor Neoh said.

Associate Professor Neoh recalled a recent discussion where he asked Reuben about the debate between the ‘will’ and interest’ theories of rights.

“Without skipping a beat, he proceeded to offer a cogent defence of the interest theory of rights, while knowing full well that I subscribe to a will theory of rights, which then led to a round of spirited argument,” Associate Professor Neoh said.

“One could do that with Reuben on practically any legal-philosophical topic. It is the opportunity for conversations with students like Reuben that keep me in this job!”

Associate Professor Neoh was Reuben’s supervisor for his undergraduate research paper and the person who first encouraged him to consider further study after completing his degree.

Reuben won the Blackburn Medal for Research in Law for that paper in 2021, and graduated with the University Medal for Academic Excellence in 2022.

“He’s been really important in helping me get to this point,” Reuben said.

A standout student, Reuben received acceptances into PhD programs at several Ivy League universities, before eventually settling on Harvard University.

“First and foremost, I’m really excited about working with the faculty in the philosophy department,” Reuben said.

“There’ll also be a community of other graduate students with similar interests to me, so I’ll always have people to talk to and learn from.”

While Reuben is yet to settle on his dissertation topic, he plans to pursue a career in academia once he completes his PhD.

“Jobs in philosophy are not easy to come by, but I’ll try my best and we’ll see what happens,” Reuben said.

As he reflects upon his time spent at ANU, Reuben advises future students to engage with the philosophical questions that arise in the study of law.

“Law gives rise to important philosophical questions, many of which concern the fundamental ways our society is and ought to be organised,” he said. “So I think it's important that law students—who will go on to wield significant power and influence in our society—are sensitive to these questions.”

“It’s also really important to have good mentors, so don’t be afraid to seek them out.”