Degree type
PhD, Masters by research
Closing date
1 June 2024
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
Scholarship
$32,192pa + Top-Up $12,000pa for 3.5 years
About the research project
This PhD or Master by Research will be part of an ARC Linkage Project (LP220100130) titled 'Fostering school attendance for students in Out-of-Home Care', led by Professor Kitty te Riele (Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment). The Linkage Project aims to understand why young people in out of home care (OOHC) have high absences from schooling and what can be done to ameliorate this. Such work matters because school attendance is a key prerequisite for strengthening students' education outcomes and life trajectories.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for this full time HDR project. The applicant has a research background in education; sociology; social work; or psychology. The position comes with a total package of up to $54,000 p/y, including the UTAS stipend ($32,192) and top up scholarship from Life Without Barriers ($12,000), plus funding to assist with research costs and with maintaining community and cultural connections.
The successful applicant may be based in Tasmania or interstate for the PhD, and will develop a sub-project focused on improving school attendance specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in care. Freedom will be provided to concentrate on any of the project's research questions in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in care, including:
- Levels of and reasons for absences from school;
- Experiences of school absences and attendance;
- Impact of policies and practices in OOHC and/or education on school attendance; and
- How these students can be supported to be at school by schools, carers, education systems, and OOHC systems.
Methods and methodologies employed within the PhD project will depend on its specific focus.
The PhD scholar will also be involved in the overall project, including fieldwork with Indigenous Australians in several states, and opportunities to contribute to dissemination.
Dr Mike Guerzoni, a criminologist, and Professor Kitty te Riele, an education scholar, will supervise the successful applicant.
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Michael GuerzoniFunding
The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years (PhD) or 2 years (MRes)
- 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)
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Additional funding
Additional funding opportunities will be available for successful eligible candidates:
- If successful, applicants will also receive a top-up scholarship of $12,000 per annum. This scholarship is funded from Life Without Barriers.
- Supplementary funding for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates to support Higher Degree research and research skills development is available through the Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Aboriginal Leadership. Please refer to https://www.utas.edu.au/community-and-partners/aboriginal-business/postgraduate for information about supplementary funding
- The School of Social Sciences and the Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment will also provide additional funding to support the successful candidate and their research
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:
- Applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged. Non-Indigenous candidates may also apply but will need to demonstrate experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
- A Bachelor degree (for the Master by Research) or an Honours degree (for the PhD) or equivalent in one of the following disciplines: education; sociology; social work; psychology
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:
- Skills in Qualitative research and analysis OR Quantitative research and analysis
- Prior research with/about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children or young people in relation to education OR out of home care OR sociology
- Good written communication skills
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Familiarity with yarning method
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Michael Guerzoni 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 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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