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PhD opportunity: Remote Aboriginal students’ high school retention and post-school pathways
Home PhD opportunity: Remote Aboriginal students’ high school retention and post-school pathways
17 April 2025
4 minute read

Batchelor Institute is offering a scholarship for a suitable Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant to undertake a PhD to support an ARC Discovery Project, to be conducted in conjunction with Curtin University.

The ARC project is seeking to understand what schools and communities can do to help young people stay at school to complete Year 12 and then go on to take up further training and education or employment opportunities in their communities. The focus will be on Western Australia and Northern Territory.

The PhD project

The PhD project may consider investigating some of the following questions:

  • What can education systems do to support retention and post-school transitions?
  • How do teachers influence aspirations for high school completion?
  • How does learning on Country influence young peoples’ decisions about school completion and post-school transitions?
  • What role do parents and Elders play in supporting young people?
  • What alternative models work to support school completion on Country (e.g. distance education, off-Country intensives, school-based vocational programs)
  • What does Year 12 completion mean to young people?

The above questions are just suggestions. It will be up to you to decide what you want to focus on within the parameters of the ARC project.

Benefits

As part of a highly experienced research team, the successful applicant will receive supervision, mentoring, and other practical supports. The project will involve engaging with schools and community members in remote locations of the Northern Territory or Western Australia.

The successful applicant will be eligible for a tax-free scholarship of $33,533 plus a top up of $15,000 per year (total $48,533).  ISSP grants to assist with education costs are also available.

Reasonable costs associated with the PhD project will be covered by the ARC project.

The successful applicant will benefit from being part of Batchelor’s Graduate School, with access to regular masterclasses.

Batchelor offers 4WD courses for people who work remotely.

Eligibility

Applicants will be eligible to apply if they can meet the entry requirements for Research Program Options | Batchelor Institute and identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

We would prefer the successful person to be located in either the Northern Territory or Western Australia and an allowance of $2000 may be available to facilitate relocation.

About you

  • You will have a passion for or background in education of First Nations people
  • You will be able to work independently
  • You will want to learn more about the languages, cultures and Countries of people living in remote communities and homelands
  • You will have a strong interest in research
  • You will be able to fly or drive to remote communities

To apply

Email an expression of interest to Assoc. Prof John Guenther john.guenther@batchelor.edu.au , including:

  1. A brief statement describing your background, research experience and interest in this project.
  2. A detailed CV, including details of publications (if any) and education qualifications.
  3. Names and contact details of two academic referees.

If you are unsure, call John on 0412 125 661