The La Trobe Rural Health School at La Trobe University is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship as part of the Australian Research Council Discovery Project, "Creating Safer Sport Communities from Rural to Urban Australia" (Safer Sport). This innovative project aims to examine and address gender-based violence across Australian sports communities, with the goal of developing a deep understanding of the gendered nature of violence in these contexts and identifying effective community responses. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, mixed methods, and collaborative co-design, the Safer Sport project seeks to generate a new evidence base, foster international interdisciplinary collaborations, and produce practical guides to enhance the capacity of sport communities across Australia to address gender-based violence. The successful PhD candidate will be based within the La Trobe Rural Health School and will be primarily supervised by Associate Professor Kirsty Forsdike, with co-supervision from one or two members of the Safer Sport research team. For First Nations Australian applicants, the supervisory panel may include Professor Julie Andrews, and there is the option to be based in the Gabra Biik Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre. The scholarship provides a generous stipend of $34,000 per annum for three and a half years to support living costs, a fee relief scholarship for up to four years, and $5,000 in research expenses (including conference attendance). Eligible First Nations Australian applicants may also be considered for the Dennis McDermott Research Scholarship, which offers a stipend top-up of $10,000 per annum and additional research support. The successful candidate will conduct research that complements and informs the broader Safer Sport Project, culminating in a doctoral thesis that makes a substantial contribution to the field of gender-based violence prevention in sports communities. The project welcomes applications from candidates with a strong academic background in relevant fields such as sociology, public health, or sports science, and especially encourages First Nations Australian applicants. Flexible start dates are available, but successful applicants must be able to commence their studies by 2026. For more information and to apply, please visit the official scholarship page: Creating Safer Sport Communities PhD Scholarship .

La Trobe University is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship as part of the ARC Discovery Project “Creating Safer Sport Communities from Rural to Urban Australia.” This opportunity is ideal for candidates passionate about addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in sport, with a focus on rural, regional, and priority populations, including First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ groups. The project aims to develop an in-depth understanding of the gendered nature of violence in sport and to create evidence-based interventions and practice guides for safer sport communities across Australia. The successful candidate will join the La Trobe Rural Health School and the Reducing Gender-Based Violence Research Group, working under the primary supervision of Associate Professor Kirsty Forsdike, with a supervisory team including leading researchers from Victoria University, Griffith University, Laval University (Canada), and Loughborough University (UK). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants will be supported by Professor Julie Andrews and the Gabra Biik Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre, with the opportunity to become a member of the Centre. Research topics are flexible and may include rural and regional experiences of GBV in sport, intersectional experiences among priority populations, and place-based interventions. Community-engaged and participatory research approaches are encouraged, and candidates are welcome to propose their own project within these or related themes. The project uses interdisciplinary, mixed-methods, and co-design approaches, offering access to local networks, data, and industry expertise. The scholarship provides a stipend of $34,000 per annum for three and a half years, fee relief for up to four years, and $5,000 for research expenses. Eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants may receive a Dennis McDermott Research Scholarship top-up of $10,000 per annum and additional research support. Applicants must meet La Trobe’s PhD entry requirements, preferably have a Masters by Research or significant research experience, and demonstrate interest in GBV in sport or rural/regional research. A working with children’s check is required. To apply, confirm your eligibility for the PhD program, then email Associate Professor Kirsty Forsdike at [email protected] with your CV, eligibility evidence, Expression of Interest Letter, and Research Proposal. The application deadline is 28 February 2026. For more information, visit the official scholarship page or contact the supervisor directly.