Michael Mintrom

This PhD project sits within the ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste (VAPUCW), an interdisciplinary and industry-connected research environment focused on turning underutilised carbon resources into valuable products and supporting the transition to a circular economy. The project examines the public policy and governance dimensions of Australia’s move toward circularity, with specific attention to carbon upcycling and emerging chemical recycling technologies. Using comparative case studies, the research will explore the policy frameworks, systemic governance challenges, and multi-sector mechanisms needed to operationalise circular economy pathways across domestic supply chains. The successful candidate will be based in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University and will work alongside a supervisory team led by Professor Jo Lindsay, with Associate Professor Martin Geissdoerfer and Professor Michael Mintrom. The project also offers collaboration with researchers and industry partners across the ARC Research Hub, bringing together perspectives from social sciences, policy, and applied innovation. Monash University provides the broader research setting, with graduate researchers working on real-world challenges in a supportive environment and access to advanced facilities.