‘Knowledge from somewhere’: placing knowledge and power for equitable and just futures

About the research project

This research project integrates insights from fields such as science and technology studies (e.g., Bruno Latour, Donna Haraway), post-structural human geographies (e.g., Doreen Massey) and studies of governance (e.g., Michel Foucault) to interrogate the effects of space on the production of knowledge, the workings of social power, and the constitution of subjectivities. It begins from the broad premise that the possibility for just political action to address pressing socio-environmental challenges, such as climate change and sustainability, requires analysis of how knowledge, power and space are complexly intertwined and co-produced (e.g., Elden & Crampton, 2007).

Various writers have critiqued the colonising, universalising, and disembodied project of modern science as a ‘view-from-nowhere’ on the basis that place is obscured, power relations are naturalised and social and cultural differences are erased. Arguments that all knowledges comes from somewhere and are inextricably bound to various political projects reframe globalised issues such as climate change and sustainability as situated struggles over knowledge, power and space. More broadly, recognising and affirming the situatedness and partiality inherent to all knowledge claims does not weaken science, but strengthens the basis for its ethical and political capacity to respond to uneven and entangled planetary crises.

Potential topics that engage with the co-production of knowledge, power and space in the context of Tasmanian and/or related geographies (e.g., islands, peripheries, place, region, settler-colonial landscapes) will be co-designed with the supervisory team and the RHD candidate. Priority will be given to projects that build on and extend the University of Tasmania’s international reputation with respect to sustainability and/or climate change research, as well as contributing to the development of the School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Science core domains of ‘geographies of sustainable and just futures’ and ‘innovating climate adaptation and resilience’.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Andrew Harwood

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 funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

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

Additional Funding

The School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences provides the standard University of Tasmania RHD funding of $3,000.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for 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 are open to Domestic and International applicants.
• Applications are open to applicants from human geography, science and technology studies, sociology, politics and allied disciplines in the social sciences and humanities.

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:

• Demonstrated interest in social, cultural and geographical theory
• Experience, or capacity to gain experience, in social science research methodologies and methods

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Andrew Harwood 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 October 2026.

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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