Daiwa Scholars 1997
Daiwa Scholars 1997 completed their Scholarship in April 1999.
Between them, the seven Daiwa Scholars 1997 studied at five different universities from across the UK. Their studies encompassed Archaeology and Anthropology, Chemical Engineering, Economics, English, Law with Japanese Studies and Psychology and Clinical Psychology.
About the scholars
Charles Bodsworth
Charles Bodsworth completed a BA (Hons) degree in English at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge in 1996. Charles has been working at ITN assisting with Channel 4 News up until his departure for Japan.
His homestay while on the Scholarship was in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture and his work placement was with the Foreign News Desk at TV Tokyo.
Charles worked as Assistant Director for Digital Engagement at Imperial War Museums and subsequently as
Head of Digital and Data at Scope.
In July 2022 Charles became of Head of audiences and digital content at Japan House London.
Michele Head
Michele Head completed her studies in Psychology and Clinical Psychology at the Université Catholique de Louvain in 1997.
Michele’s homestay in Japan was in Akita City in Akita Prefecture. Her work placement was at the National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry. She is currently Principal psychologist at St Andrew’s Healthcare and a visiting lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Ross Kerley
Ross Kerley completed a BA (Hons) degree in Economics at Queen’s College, University of Cambridge in 1984 and an MPhil in economics at Wolfson College, University of Oxford in 1986. Ross has been working as a Treasury civil servant seconded to Price Waterhouse since 1995 and up until his departure for Japan.
Ross’s homestay in Japan was in Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture. His work placement was at the Daiwa Institute of Research. He is currently working as a Partner, Risk and Quality for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Gavin Rees
Gavin Rees completed a BA (Hons) degree in Archaeology and Anthropology at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge in 1993. Gavin had been working as a TV News Producer with FT TV in London up until his departure for Japan.
Gavin’s homestay in Japan was in Arida City in Wakayama Prefecture. His work placement was at You Productions, a documentary TV company. He is the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma’s Senior Advisor for Training and Innovation.
Steven Rogers
Steven Rogers completed an MSc in Cehmical Engineering at Heriot Watt University in 1991. Steven worked as a chemical engineer with ICI up until his departure for Japan.
Steven’s homestay in Japan was in Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture. His work placements were at Toyota’s Public Relations Department and at the British Council where he helped investigate technology transfer from the university sector to the private sector in Japan. He worked as a Business Development Executive for Ceres Power Limited, and since January 2020 has been Strategic Business Development Director at Sonar.
Dr Edward Stern
Edward Stern completed a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature at Trinity College, University of Cambridge in 1995. Edward worked as a writer and information designer with Donovan Data Systems up until his departure for Japan.
His homestay in Japan was in Akita City in Akita Prefecture and his work placement was at the Asahi Newspaper. He currently works as a doctor at St George’s University Hospitals.
Ian Foster
Ian Foster completed a BA (Hons) degree in Law and Japanese Studies at the University of Leeds in 1997.
Ian’s homestay in Japan was in Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture. His work placement was at Ohebashi Law offices.
He is the joint managing director of Star Legal, which he founded with Philip Hands.