University of Wollongong PhD Scholarship

PhD Scholarship at the University of Wollongong on Indigenous-led adaptation to sea-level rise. This project sits within the School of Social Sciences and ACCESS (Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space) and is linked to an ARC Future Fellowship project on unlocking community-wide adaptation to sea-level rise.

The research will explore how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, values, principles, and ongoing connections to Country can shape adaptation planning in south-east Australia. The project is explicitly Indigenous-led and grounded in community protocols, with engagement with local Mob to understand custodianship of Country and how those relationships inform adaptation decisions. It emphasizes deep listening, community needs, and culturally appropriate climate adaptation solutions.

Supervision is by Associate Professor Sonia Graham, Dr Crystal Arnold (Gundungurra), and Associate Professor Jenny Atchison. The scholarship is offered by the University of Wollongong, Faculty of Arts, Society and Business, and is open to domestic and international students.

Funding includes a stipend of $53,608 per year (2026 rate), indexed annually, for 3.5 years. The closing date is 1 August 2026. Applicants should have a Bachelor degree in human geography, sociology, human ecology, or a related discipline with First Class Honours (or equivalent), and intend to undertake a full-time higher degree by research by January 2027.

To apply, send a CV and draft project proposal to Sonia Graham, along with a cover letter, referee details, and optionally a sample of academic writing. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to apply for admission to the University of Wollongong.