Two Fully Funded PhD Opportunities in Agricultural Emissions Reduction, Communication, and Adoption at The University of Western Australia The University of Western Australia in Australia

Two fully funded PhD opportunities are open at The University of Western Australia, supported by the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC. These projects sit at the intersection of agriculture, communication studies, environmental science, sociology, and education, with a strong focus on accelerating real-world adoption of low-emissions on-farm practices.

Project 1: Co-creating communication approaches to support emissions reduction in agriculture focuses on how communication, social contexts, trust, and stakeholder involvement shape adoption of low-emission practices and technologies. The PhD is supervised by Dr Heather Bray and embedded in a national research project. You will work with farmers, industry partners, and a national team of social scientists, using participatory research in a Living Laboratory to evaluate attitudes and beliefs, identify communication barriers, and co-create practical communication products for emissions reduction.

Project 2: Supporting farm-level change examines the enabling environment for adoption and scaling of low-emissions solutions. This PhD investigates supporting networks, trust, institutional factors, and post-adoption support needed by primary producers to sustain practice change. The work will identify gaps in the support environment, build capacity, and help design interventions that facilitate net-zero transitions in the agricultural sector.

Funding: The first project offers a stipend scholarship of AUD 38,110 per annum. The second project offers a AUD 10,000 per annum top-up scholarship and requires a base scholarship such as RTP or similar. Both projects are described as fully funded and are supported by national research and industry networks.

Eligibility highlights: Applicants must meet UWA PhD admission requirements and have a research-based Honours or Master's degree. Relevant backgrounds include Agricultural Extension, Science Communication, Rural Sociology, Adoption, Agricultural Economics, Extension, or Communication. Candidates should be willing to live in Perth, travel for fieldwork in Western Australia and Victoria, and demonstrate English fluency and familiarity with Australian farming systems. International applicants need a minimum CGPA of 3.9 (85% weighted average).

How to apply: Follow UWA's application guidelines and email Professor Marit Kragt with your education history, CV, transcripts, and a short motivation statement. Applications that do not address the listed requirements will not be considered.

Deadline: 31 May 2026.