Social Equity in Engineering and Information Technology PhD Scholarship Opportunities
The Social Equity in Engineering and Information Technology Scholarship Program aims to develop a cohort of future Australian research leaders in social equity by providing the selected scholars with access to mentoring and resources.
Critical Dates
- Tuesday 27 June
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Expressions of Interest Open
- Monday 18 September
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12.00 pm Midday (AEST)
Expressions of Interest Close
- Friday 6 October
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2.30pm – 5.00pm (AEST)
Shortlisted candidates required for interviews
- October
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Successful candidates submit full application to the Faculty
About the Scholarships
Launched in 2021, the Social Equity in Engineering and Information Technology Scholarship Program aims to develop the cohort of future Australian research leaders in social equity by providing the selected scholars with access to resources and mentorship.
It provides selected researchers with the opportunity to undertake a PhD through the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne while receiving additional research, mentoring and training support through the Melbourne Social Equity Institute.
Two new scholarships will be allocated in 2023 for candidates to commence in 2024, with at least one of the scholarships allocated to a domestic student (i.e. citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand). The second scholarship is open to both domestic and international students.
Established in 2012, the Melbourne Social Equity Institute is one of the University of Melbourne’s four interdisciplinary research institutes. It conducts and facilitates research that addresses the causes and consequences of social inequities and advances knowledge about effective ways to respond.
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 priority areas will be highly regarded. The current priority areas are:
- Community-engaged and coproductive research (enabling theme)
- Digital access and equity (enabling theme )
- Gender equity
- Health equity
- Inclusive and distributive economies
- Migration and mobility
Reflecting the nature of social inequities, many of the Institute's research initiatives engage at the intersections of these priorities.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship benefits include:
- Full exemption from payment of student fees at the University of Melbourne;
- A stipend of $34,400 per annum (2023 full-time rate, tax free), with a 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 $2000 per annum (a maximum of $6000 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 University's Find an Expert site can assist in identifying suitable potential supervisors. If you are unable to identify a suitable and/or available supervisor, please contact social-equity@unimelb.edu.au and we will do our best to assist you.
Learn more about finding a supervisor
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 in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne.
- The University of Melbourne's entry requirements for domestic PhD students
- The University of Melbourne's entry requirements for international PhD students
People with lived experience of the area of disadvantage or inequity that they intend to research are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications
Please complete the Expression of Interest Form. Following an interview process, candidates who are selected will then be invited to apply in a competitive round through the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.
All Expressions of Interest must be received by 12.00pm Midday (AEST) on Monday 18 September. Please send your completed form to social-equity@unimelb.edu.au.
Melbourne Social Equity Institute reserves the right not to allocate any scholarships where, in its opinion, there are no expressions of interest of sufficient merit.
Further Enquiries
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Professor Shanton Chang shanton.chang@unimelb.edu.au or Charlene Edwards charlene.edwards@unimelb.edu.au.
Past Recipients
The Social Equity in Engineering and Information Technology Scholarships were first awarded in 2021. To date, three graduate researchers have been accepted into the program.
Rashika Bahl
Understanding migrants’ misinformation experiences
Rashika’s research seeks to better understand how migrants' use of transnational information sources can subsequently influence their misinformation experiences. In particular, Rashika's research aims to push back against the deficit model often used to understand migrants' information and misinformation experiences focus both on where it is that we might be able to support migrants, and where it is that we might learn from them.
Supervisors:
Professor Shanton Chang, School of Computing and Information Systems
Dr Dana McKay, RMIT University
Associate Professor George Buchanan, School of Computing and Information Systems
Maharti Triharta
Investigation of sustainable female engineers’ career development: mitigating impacts of gender biological reproductive inequities
Reproductive inequities in the engineering profession of Australia are prevalent. Female engineers have staggering low fertility rates, and there is high attrition in their 30s coinciding with the child-bearing years, with studies pointing towards masculine workplace cultures resulting in a spectre of reproductive choices. These inequities call for the application of sustainability in the career context that ensures a person-career fit through the critical ages of reproductive choices, as they navigate through the dynamic of occupational and workplace cultural contexts. In this research, Maharti aims to investigate reproductive inequities and address the sustainability in the career development of female engineers.
Supervisors:
Professor Elaine Wong, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Professor Sally Male, Teaching And Learning Lab
Dr Victor Sojo Monzon, Department of Management and Marketing
John Paul Cruz
Accessibility in digital technologies: enhancing social equity
John Paul's research explores how digital technologies can be made more accessible to achieve greater social equity for people with disabilities and older persons. The study investigates the reasons why some digital technologies have more accessibility features than others, and how the uptake of accessibility in mainstream digital environments can be increased. Additionally, the study examines the causes and consequences of different systems, such as social, economic, political, or technical systems, in mainstreaming accessibility in digital technologies. The research aims to identify solutions that promote social equity and ensure that marginalised groups are not excluded from the benefits of digitalisation.
Supervisors:
Professor Shanton Chang, School of Computing and Information Systems
Dr Piers Gooding, Melbourne Law School
About Melbourne Social Equity Institute
Melbourne Social Equity Institute is committed to achieving fairer societies through research that makes a difference. It conducts and facilitates interdisciplinary research that addresses the causes and consequences of social inequities and advances knowledge about effective ways to respond.
It is one of four Interdisciplinary Research Institutes at the University of Melbourne. Each operates with a small directorate and supports and encourages research across disciplinary boundaries.
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.