New Histories of Extraction in Australia

About the research project

Settler colonialism has historically relied upon the extraction of minerals, non-human animals, land-based and marine resources, and Indigenous knowledge, labour, and land. In recent years, scholars of environmental history have been paying closer attention to the complex interactions between extraction and settler colonialism across the world. This scholarship has contributed to reframing orthodox histories of mining and other extractive processes to account for environmental and multi-species justice, First Nations' experiences, and transnational circulations of materials, ideas, and waste. This project invites applications from aspiring doctoral candidates interested in contributing to this burgeoning body of research. Candidates should be prepared to engage innovatively with as-yet unexamined or under-utilised archival materials, case-studies, methodological approaches and/or narratives. 

Potential research areas under this project include:

• Australian case studies of extraction (including of mineral resources such as coal, uranium or iron ore, non-human animals, labour, knowledge or other resources);
• Toxic life-cycles and other extractive assemblages (e.g. the "routes" of specific minerals and/or waste products across and beyond Australia's borders)
• Histories of transnational and multinational corporations and prospecting;
• Comparative studies of extractivism across varied settler colonial, neo-colonial and other historical or geographical contexts;
• Resource-specific extraction (e.g. of particular minerals considered to be of national importance);
• Critically historicising bioprospecting 

Candidates will work with a team of supervisors, including leading environmental historian Associate Professor Alessandro Antonello and award-winning environmental and colonial historian Dr Jessica Urwin.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Jessica Urwin

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:

• Applications are open to Domestic and International applicants
• Applications are open to applications from history and cognate environmental humanities disciplinary backgrounds only
• 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:

• First class Honours degree or Master's degree in history or cognate environmental humanities discipline
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent written communication abilities

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Knowledge of Australian and/or global environmental history in the modern era

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Jessica Urwin 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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