Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 February 2025
Campus
Launceston
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
The story of loneliness is a troubling one, with 1 in 3 Australians experiencing loneliness, and those in regional and remote areas – like much of Tasmania – experiencing higher levels. In the U.S., the Surgeon General declared a Loneliness Epidemic. People who feel they belong have a small number of high-quality meaningful relationships, and those who experience belonging have strong connections in their work lives. Universities and colleges have the highest levels of economic connectedness between high and low socio-economic status people. For people of low-SES, they experience rates of connectedness much greater than in workplaces, religious groups, and neighbourhoods. Yet, there are still pervasive levels of disconnection and poor psychological wellbeing among students. Students, who, if successful will go onto be civic and business leaders.
This project will develop a better understanding of social capital in university environments, given it has the highest rate of possible connection. The university environment is a porous space where diverse people assemble for a myriad of purposes – but all situated around learning. This study aims to explore the levels of social capital across a cross section of university staff, students, and associated stakeholders to begin to unpack the reasons why university agents feel more or less belonging.
This PhD comprises three key parts. The first is a meta-analysis on factors that cause social disconnection and loneliness. Next, two sequential online surveys designed to a) develop benchmark data about the prevalence and strength of loneliness across the university sector in contrast to a corporate sector, and b) develop a small-scale loneliness-oriented vignette study to test if under randomised conditions participants report lower levels of loneliness after viewing a pre-recorded intervention stimulus. This study will be important for beginning to understand the role of employee and student loneliness, belonging, and their ongoing social capital formation.
Primary Supervisor
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 $33,511 per annum (2025 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.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
- Applications are open to all applicants who have an evidenced motivation to the project proposed
- Applications are open to applications from business, psychology, or educational psychology discipline backgrounds only
- Clearly fluent written and oral English communication
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:
- Organisational behaviour and/or psychology/educational psychology knowledge
- Substantial experience with, and previous training in, quantitative methods
- Experience working in roles relating to management, leadership, psychology, and/or behavioural development
- Fluent written and verbal English communication skills
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Existing business, educational psychology, or psychology publications
- Experience with meta-analyses, psychometric, and experimental methodologies
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Joseph Crawford to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- 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.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 February 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the 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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