PhD in Human Geography, Indigenous Land Rights, and Environmental Change University of Melbourne in Australia

A fully funded PhD opportunity is available at the University of Melbourne, supervised by Professor Wolfram Dressler and Dr. Serene Ho, in collaboration with colleagues at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The project focuses on the analysis of expanding road infrastructure and its impacts on Indigenous land rights, food security, and forest cover in southern Palawan, the Philippines. This interdisciplinary research combines human geography, political ecology, and environmental science, using spatial analysis and ethnographic methods to examine how road expansion affects Indigenous communities, land use, and biodiversity.

The successful candidate will investigate the historical and contemporary expansion of road networks in upland forests, analyzing their intersection with ancestral domain claims, livelihood changes, and shifting land classifications. The project aims to provide a multiscalar account of road building as a political and ecological process, reshaping food systems, forest cover, and Indigenous governance in Palawan. The PhD includes a minimum 12-month research stay at KIT in Germany, offering international research experience.

The scholarship package covers tuition fees, provides a living allowance, health insurance, and relocation support. Applicants should have a strong background in human geography, environmental science, anthropology, or related fields, and experience with spatial analysis and ethnographic research is desirable. The application deadline is approaching, so interested candidates should apply promptly via the provided link.