Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW)

This PhD scholarship at Monash University, based within the Faculty of Arts and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW), offers a unique opportunity to investigate the relationship between misogyny as an ideology, social practice, and mobilising force, and its role in contemporary forms of political violence and transnational digital repression. The project will draw on interdisciplinary research to examine how misogynistic norms and beliefs intersect with violent narratives online, and their influence on socio-political grievances, armed conflict, extremist movements, and the foreign policy of hostile states. The research aims to understand the drivers connecting misogyny to gendered political violence, the facilitation of misogynistic extremism through online ecosystems and offline subcultures, and the interaction of gendered grievances with other ideological frameworks such as far-right nationalism and authoritarian regimes.

The successful candidate will collect and analyse qualitative data at scale, including online misogyny and racist narratives, and threats against politically-active women. Using a cross-national comparative method, the project may focus on narratives and policies across two to three countries within the Indo-Pacific region. The research places strong emphasis on practical strategies for intervention, such as identifying spikes in violence-related discourses to support prevention, preventative diplomacy, strengthened civil society responses, and democratic resilience. The project will contribute to a deeper understanding of how gender-based hostility functions within contemporary national and regional security threat landscapes.

CEVAW is the world’s first Centre dedicated to tackling the full range of violence against women in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. It focuses on structural drivers of violence, pioneering evidence-based approaches to inform practice and policy. CEVAW's research is interdisciplinary, data-driven, Indigenous and survivor-centred, and co-designed with partners. The Centre brings together experts across legal, security, economic, health, and political systems, with significant investment and a global impact. The PhD project will be based in CEVAW’s ‘The impact of institutions on violence against women’ workstream.

Applicants should have a background in political science, international relations, criminology, sociology, gender studies, or related fields, with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and addressing complex social harms. Experience in qualitative, quantitative, or digital ethnography methodologies is advantageous. Applicants must hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honours or Master’s degree with a significant research component and first-class honours/H1 awarded. English-language proficiency requirements apply. Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus. Applicants who already hold a PhD are not eligible. The successful applicant is expected to enrol by 1 March 2027.

Funding includes a Research Living Allowance of $37,145 AUD per annum (tax-free stipend, indexed), a CEVAW Top-up scholarship of $10,000 AUD per annum (non-indexed), and additional allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions. For further details, see the Monash University scholarship policy and procedures.

To apply, first contact Professor Jacqui True via email to discuss your interest and research proposal. Prepare a cover letter, research proposal, CV, academic records, English language proficiency test results (if applicable), and contact details of two academic referees. After discussion with the supervisor, submit your application via My.App, selecting 'Admission Only' and indicating you are applying for the CEVAW PhD Scholarship. The application deadline is 10 August 2026, 11:55pm AEST.

For more information, visit the Monash University graduate research and scholarship pages. Supporting a diverse workforce is a priority for this opportunity.