David Rousell

RMIT University is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity as part of the ARC Discovery Project titled 'Making Histories: Young People as Visual Historians of Changing Cities.' This project investigates how young people contribute to urban change in Melbourne (Naarm) and Geelong (Djilang), focusing on their roles as visual historians and agents of historical transformation. The research is designed for candidates interested in marginalised or underrepresented histories, urban change, visual and documentary approaches to history-making, and public, community, museum, or archival histories. Decolonial and critical Indigenous studies approaches are also welcomed. Applicants should have a background in historical studies, broadly defined to include public history, urban history, applied history, museum and archival studies, community history, or history education. The successful candidate will develop an independent, community-engaged doctoral project, collaborating with museums, archives, galleries, and community partners. The research will provide critical historical context for the broader ARC project, which examines youth agency and visual historical practice in changing urban environments. This PhD is open to domestic applicants based in Australia and offers the chance to contribute to a nationally funded research initiative while developing expertise in urban history, community engagement, and visual documentation. The scholarship is fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend, though specific financial details are not listed. The supervisory team includes Associate Professor David Rousell and collaborators such as Gideon Boadu, Kelly Hussey-Smith, Eve Mayes, Julianne Moss, and Dr Merinda Kelly. To apply, interested candidates should contact Associate Professor David Rousell at [email protected]. For more information, applicants can review the project details via the provided links. This opportunity is ideal for those passionate about history, social change, and working with diverse communities in Melbourne and Geelong.