MONASH UNIVERSITY
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PhD Scholarship in Communication and Navigation for Blind and Low Vision People Monash University in Australia
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Research Living Allowance of $37,145 AUD per annum (2026 full-time rate, tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances under RTP stipend scholarship conditions; tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) for a successful international awardee; additional support for fieldwork, transcription, travel, and conference attendance is mentioned.
Deadline
Nov 8, 2026
Country
Australia
University
MONASH UNIVERSITY
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About this position
This PhD scholarship is based at Monash University’s Clayton campus in Melbourne and sits within a Monash AI Institute collaboration between the Arts and IT faculties. The project investigates communication and navigation for blind and low vision people, with a particular focus on how people interact with digital navigational technologies and use multimodal information to build a navigational frame of reference.
The student will carry out detailed linguistic and multimodal research on real-world orientation and mobility experiences. The project draws on video ethnography, interviews, and focus groups with blind and low vision people to better understand how digital technologies are integrated into environmental navigation and what users want from these systems.
The successful applicant will join an active research team examining broader issues around digital technologies for orientation and mobility, including the role of artificial intelligence in such systems. The scholarship is embedded in a larger program of work, giving the student access to an existing research agenda, opportunities to contribute to co-authored publications, community engagement activities, and future grant applications.
The research environment is described as strong and supportive, with expertise across linguistics, multimodality, social science, and inclusive technology in IT. The project is located within a well-resourced university context and offers integration into a collaborative team working on technology, communication, and accessibility for blind and low vision communities.
Funding details
Research Living Allowance of $37,145 AUD per annum (2026 full-time rate, tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances under RTP stipend scholarship conditions; tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) for a successful international awardee; additional support for fieldwork, transcription, travel, and conference attendance is mentioned.
What's required
Applicants should have an excellent academic track record in Linguistics, multimodal communication, or a related discipline, with Australian or equivalent international Honours or Master’s degree in a relevant field with a significant research component and first-class honours/H1 preferred. Proven experience in video ethnographic methods is highly regarded. Ability to effectively and respectfully engage with Blind and Low Vision people and other disability communities is required, and applicants with lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply. Applicants must meet Faculty of Arts PhD eligibility requirements, including English-language proficiency skills where applicable, be enrolled full-time and on campus, and must not already hold a PhD.
How to apply
Discuss your research proposal with Dr Shimako Iwasaki before applying. Submit the application via My.App as an Admission Only application, mark that you are applying for a scholarship, and enter the scholarship name exactly as instructed. Upload all supporting documents in PDF format, including your cover letter, research proposal, CV, academic records, English test results if applicable, and two academic referees.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the provider.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the provider.