School of Social Sciences

Lead Researcher: Associate Professor Nichole Georgeou

About the project

The School of Social Sciences within Western Sydney University has established a Dual Award HDR Agreement with the School of Arts within Kathmandu University.(opens in new window)

The Dual Award HDR Agreement creates a unique opportunity for a Western Sydney University PhD candidate to receive a Dual Award PhD Scholarship which includes a fee waiver, a stipend of $10,000, and the conferral of a Doctor of Philosophy from both institutions.

Applications are now open for both domestic and international students for Western Sydney University’s home candidate for the Dual Award PhD Scholarship.

The successful applicant’s ‘Home Institution’ will be Western Sydney University and will also enrol as a research student of Kathmandu University.

The Universities will work with the successful applicant to create a research project that aligns with their own academic interests, in fields of research where each institution share common, strategic research goals.

What does the scholarship provide?

• Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $10,000(AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
• International candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $10,000(AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs. Those with a strong track record will be eligible for a tuition fee waiver.
• Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs will be considered by the relevant School(s).

International candidates are required to hold an Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC)(opens in new window) insurance policy for the duration their study in Australia. This cost is not covered by the scholarship.

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be assessed competitively, with consideration of the research strengths of the institutions.

As the candidature will be administered by the School of Social Sciences within Western Sydney University, applicants with a strong background and research interest in social justice – in fields such as Anthropology, Criminology, Development Studies, Migration, Human Rights, Gender and Sexualities Studies, Social Work, Disability Research, and Sociology – will be highly considered.

Demonstrated alignment with the expertise of the School of Arts, Kathmandu University, will also be highly considered – in such fields as Development Studies, Migration, Social Inclusion and Exclusion, Sociology, Disability Research, Heritage Studies, and Social Sciences.

The successful applicant should:

• hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.
• meet the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework,(opens in new window) Level 10 Doctoral Degree, where graduates at this level will have systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and/or professional practice.

Highly desirable criteria are an ability to:

• apply research skills and analytical competences to address the socio-political challenges posed by the processes of implementation and contextualisation of human rights standards and policies with regards to diversity.
• analyse and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of public policies carried out by intergovernmental, state and sub-state entities, including the governmental institutions and organisations, as well as the role of non-state actors, including corporate organisations, civil society organisations, communities, human rights activists’ networks.
• advise and assist public and private institutions active in the legal and socio-political fields, in education, communication and cultural mediation in implementing human rights programs.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.(opens in new window)

How to apply

Follow the step-by-step instructions on the how to apply for a project scholarship(opens in new window) page.

In your application, include a one-page proposal stating how your research interests align with the common, strategic research goals of both the School of Social Sciences within Western Sydney University and the School of Arts within Kathmandu University.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.

For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher;
Associate Professor Nichole Georgeou: n.georgeou@westernsydney.edu.au

For questions and advice about the application process, please contact the Graduate Research School: grs.scholarships@westernsydney.edu.au

Applications close 31 December 2021

*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

Scholarship code: PS2020_066_SoSS