Postgradute Students at ILWS

Postgraduate Students

Much of the important research carried out by the Institute is undertaken by post graduate students under the supervision of Institute researchers. In some cases, their co-supervisors may be from other universities, natural resource management agencies, industry, Government and non-government organisations, or other research institutions.

Currently the Institute has over 85 PhD students who are working on an extensive range of research projects that cover a number of disciplines aligned with the Institute's research foci. A principal focus of the Institute is integrated research which contributes to improved social and environmental sustainability in rural and regional Australia.

PhD Scholarships - 2010

Each year the Institute for Land, Water and Society awards research higher degree scholarships to students keen to work in targeted research areas. Prospective postgraduate research students are invited to apply for a scholarship commencing in 2010.  Research topics include socio-economic, socio-cultural and/or ecological issues associated with ILWS strategic research areas. Projects need not be multi or interdisciplinary, but proposals that encompass integrated approaches will be viewed favourably.

The following documents are required to complete your application for an ILWS scholarship:

  1. Evidence of an Honours or Research Masters Degree or equivalent research experience.
  2. A copy of your undergraduate transcripts.
  3. Your CV
  4. Two referee reports
  5. 500 word outline of the proposed research area including a brief description of how the proposed research fits with the aims of the ILWS.
  6. Nomination of a potential supervisor(s) who is an ILWS member.

Applicants are encouraged to seek further information on CSU postgraduate admission and available scholarships schemes at http://www.csu.edu.au/research/higher_degrees/scholarships/.

Expressions of interest or requests for further information should be sent to Ms Roni McDowell
Ph: 02 6051 9851  Email: vmcdowell@csu.edu.au

Applications for ILWS scholarships close on Friday, 30th October 2009.

PhD recipients

The recipient of the inaugural Integration Program scholarship was Sylvia Zukowski who commenced her PhD in May 2007. Her interdisciplinary research project combines ecological and social research.

Maggie Watson, whose supervisors are A/Prof Shane Raidal, Dr Tiggy Grillo (both from CSUs School of Animal and Veterinary Science) and Prof Nick Klomp, is the second recipient and commenced her PhD in September 2007. For her research project Maggie will be looking at the effects of parasites and stress from eco-tourism on the reproductive performance of seabirds.

The third recipient is Anna Lukasiewicz, who is supervised by Dr Penny Davidson, Prof Kath Bowmer and CSIROs Dr Geoff Syme. Anna, who commenced her PhD in 2008, is looking at how is social justive embedded in Australian water governance institutions?

The fourth recipient is Jane Roots (supervisors Dr Joanne Millar and Dr Rik Thwaites). Her study is on 'Integrating community and landscape values for planning multifunctional rural landscapes' and her research will focus on Indigo Shire in North-East Victoria where she will work closely with planners, councillors and community groups.

New student Sue Blyth began her PhD in April 2009 with supervisors Dr Helen Masterman-Smith and A/Prof Ian Gray. Sue intends to take a social history approach to her topic, “Increased Consumption and Decreased Domestic Skills: Clues to more sustainable lifestyles?” She will use ‘snap shots’ from every 50 years since the 1800s looking at the development of substitution in Australian life “..of how we have traded products for skills progressively over that time.”

Some of our students

The research work conducted by the Institute's PhD students greatly enhances the Institute's extensive research capacity. Examples of post graduate research projects include:

PhD Graduates since 2006