Climate Crisis in Young People’s Fiction

A creative practice research project exploring how writing for young people represents climate crisis, climate justice, and hope for the future

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

27 March 2023

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic/International

About the research project

The climate crisis is directly affecting the experiences and futures of young people.  Yet, young people’s voices are often neglected in discussions and creative representations and responses around environmental catastrophe. This creative practice project invites you to investigate and creatively contribute to this crucial topic. We want you to ask how fiction can work when representing climate crisis and/or other potentially terrifying issues of environmental catastrophe for young readers. We also invite you to think deeply, and practically, around whether and how writing for young people can cultivate hope and a sense of climate justice. Questions you might ask include: can fiction act as a catalyst for young people to engage with environmental issues and, if so, how? What tools do we have as creative writers to facilitate the empathetic engagement we need to save the planet? How does your writing contribute to this crucial field of emerging literature?

This project is designed for applicants from a creative writing background, academic and/or professional, with a specialty in writing for young people. We are particularly interested in fiction projects aimed at young adult or middle grade readers, especially if they are innovative in form and/or concept.

You will work with an expert supervision team who are specialists in the fields of Writing for Young People, Eco-criticism, the Anthropocene and Extinction Studies. You will have the opportunity to participate in University of Tasmania’s growing research field in Creative Writing while living in a unique and beautiful Wilderness World Heritage Area. Based on your qualifications, expertise and interests, and in conversation with the prospective supervision team, we invite you to shape this project in your own way.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Lucy Christopher

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • First class Honours and/or Masters Degree in Creative Writing or English, or relevant professional experience and publication record in Creative Writing.

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Capacity to manage long and complex projects.
  • High level of creative practice experience and critical thinking skills.

Application process

There is a three-step application process:

  1. Select your project, and check you meet the eligibility and selection criteria;
  2. Contact the Primary Supervisor, Dr Lucy Christopher to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. Submit an application by the closing date listed above.
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • As part of your application, you will be required to submit a covering letter, a CV including 2 x referees and your project research proposal.

Following the application closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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