Expressions of interest are invited for a scholarship through the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology; and supported by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute

The Social Equity in Engineering and Information Technology Scholarship will provide a graduate researcher with the opportunity to undertake a PhD through Australia’s highest-ranked Institution in engineering and IT while receiving additional research, mentoring and training supports through the Melbourne Social Equity Institute.

Established in 2012, the Melbourne Social Equity Institute is one of the University of Melbourne’s five interdisciplinary research institutes. It brings together researchers to address disadvantage across social life, including health, education, housing, culture, work and transport.

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants are asked to provide a brief proposal (up to four pages) for a research project that promotes social equity through engineering and information technology. Projects which are closely aligned with the Institute’s current research programs will be highly regarded.

The current programs are:

• migration and social cohesion;
• digital access and equity;
• mental health and society;
• community engaged research and
• violence against women and their children.

The lived experiences of disadvantage, revealed by many people with disabilities, Indigenous people, children, LGBTQIA+ people, people seeking asylum, women and older people intersect with each of these research programs.

This scholarship is only open to domestic students (an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand permanent resident). An earlier expression of interest round was open to international students and a preferred candidate has already been selected.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship benefits include:

• Fee offset (full fee-exemption);
• A stipend of $31,200 per annum (2021 pro-rata rate, tax free), with possible extension to 3.5 years;
• Allowances as per the Graduate Research Scholarship Terms & Conditions.

The Melbourne Social Equity Institute will also provide an additional $2,000 per annum (a maximum of $6,000 during candidature) in research support funds.

The successful candidate will also receive automatic entry to the Institute’s Doctoral Academy.

Supervision

As part of the Expression of Interest process, candidates are asked to provide the name of a proposed PhD supervisor from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. This is to ensure the University of Melbourne has the capacity and expertise to support the proposed project.

The Find an Expert site can assist in identifying and contacting suitable potential supervisors. If you are unable to identify a suitable and/or available supervisor, please contact us and we may be able to assist in this process.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a strong PhD research proposal and agreement from a supervisor or team of supervisors to support the research.

The scholarship is conditional upon acceptance into a PhD degree at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne.

People with lived experience of the area of disadvantage or inequity which they intend to research are strongly encouraged to apply.

Further Enquiries

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Professor Shanton Chang [email protected] or Charlene Edwards [email protected], using the subject line: PhD Scholarship Opportunity - Social Equity in Engineering and Information Technology enquiry via EthicalJobs.

About the Melbourne Social Equity Institute

The Melbourne Social Equity Institute is one of five Interdisciplinary Research Institutes at the University of Melbourne. Each operates with a small directorate and supports and encourages research across disciplinary boundaries.

The Melbourne Social Equity Institute supports collaborative research between academics, members of community organisations, policy makers and people with lived experiences to help build fairer societies.

About the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne educates the innovators of the future, working with industry, government and entrepreneurs to solve real-world challenges.

Its graduates and researchers lead the way in engineering and information technology to build a more sustainable future.