Understanding Digital Capability Development Through Educational Transitions

About the research project

Digital capability is increasingly important for participation in education, work and society. The rapid emergence of generative AI has brought new attention to the capabilities people need to engage with digital technologies effectively, critically and responsibly. While considerable attention has been given to AI literacy, skills and confidence, we know less about how broader digital capability develops over time, how it changes as learners move between educational contexts, and how it can be deliberately supported.

This project will investigate digital capability development through educational transitions, using generative AI as a contemporary context through which changing capability requirements can be explored. Rather than treating digital capability as a fixed collection of technical skills, the project will consider how capability develops through the interaction between individuals, technologies, educational environments and broader social contexts.

The education-to-employment pipeline provides the broader context for the research, while selected educational transitions will provide a manageable empirical focus for the PhD. Working with Hobart College, the Tasmanian eSchool and the University of Tasmania, the project will explore how learners develop and demonstrate digital capability as they prepare for and move into higher education. These settings also provide an opportunity to consider diverse learner pathways and whether differences in access, context or educational experience create capability gaps at transition points.

The project is expected to use a qualitatively led, multiphase mixed-methods design. Early phases will develop the conceptual foundations of digital capability through literature synthesis, document analysis and stakeholder perspectives. Subsequent phases may develop approaches for recognising and measuring capability, undertake comparative case studies across educational settings, and work with partners to co-design and evaluate practical approaches to strengthening capability development.

Positioned within ICT, the research will contribute to understanding digital capability as a human-centred and socio-technical phenomenon. It has the potential to make substantive, theoretical and methodological contributions by explaining how digital capability develops and transfers across contexts, extending existing capability and socio-technical perspectives, and developing ways of assessing capability that move beyond reliance on self-report measures.

Primary supervisor

Meet Associate Professor Erin Roehrer

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 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)

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.

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:

Applicants should meet the University of Tasmania's admission requirements for doctoral candidature and have an Honours or research Master's degree, or equivalent research experience, in Information and Communication Technology, Information Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, Education, Educational Technology, or a related discipline.

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:

The successful candidate will have:

• an interest in digital capability, human-centred technology and/or the responsible use of artificial intelligence;
• demonstrated capacity to undertake research, including experience with or an interest in qualitative research;
• strong written and interpersonal communication skills;
• an interest in working collaboratively with education and community partners;
• capacity to engage with participants from diverse educational backgrounds and contexts; and
• an interest in developing mixed-methods research capability, including working with quantitative researchers where appropriate.

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:

• digital capability, digital literacy or AI literacy research;
• generative AI or educational technologies;
• qualitative interviewing, focus groups or case study research;
• survey design, evaluation or mixed-methods research;
• secondary, tertiary or online education;
• co-design or participatory research; or
• research involving educational transitions, equity or diverse learner cohorts.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Associate Professor Erin Roehrer 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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