Transforming lunch provision in Tasmanian schools

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

1 June 2024

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic

About the research project

Every child deserves a nutritious lunch to help them grow and learn to their full potential. However, foods consumed at school are not consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. During school hours, most 5-12 year old children consume too many discretionary foods (foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and/or salt and have little nutritional value) and few vegetables. Some children go to school with no lunch or money to buy food.

To ensure children have access to a healthy lunch the Tasmanian School Lunch Project provides nutritious cooked lunches to students attending 30 Government schools (15 commenced 2022, 15 commenced 2023) in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage. The project has State Government and philanthropic funding from Jan 2022 to June 2024.

Working in collaboration with the Tasmanian Department of Health and School Food Matters, this research project will either evaluate the expansion of the School Lunch Project (if funding is extended) or use the knowledge gained from the project to examine other ways to transform the current school canteen system. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. The findings from this research will help inform future planning around school food provision in Tasmania.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Kylie Smith

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 $32,192 per annum (2024 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 our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

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:

  • English language score must be above minimum entry requirements for this project
  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

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:

  • Background in health promotion, evaluation or nutrition
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Must be able to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People Card (includes a police check)

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Current driver’s licence

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact Dr Kylie Smith to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. 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.
  4. Apply prior to 1 June 2024.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

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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