Co-developing solutions to address climate-driven loss and damage in the Pacific

Four fully funded PhD scholarships are available as part of the ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship on co-developing solutions to address climate-driven loss and damage.

Each PhD project will be co-designed by the candidate and advisory team to align with the program’s broader aims:
1. Develop and adapt methodologies for assessing climate-driven loss and damage.
2. Document and compare lived experiences and community-led responses.
3. Implement and evaluate locally grounded interventions in Pacific Island communities.
4. Inform policy and practice through best-practice guidelines and multi-scalar insights.

Projects must fit within the Fellowship’s overarching scope and will be shaped to reflect your interests, disciplinary background, and the needs of partner organisations and communities.

The program offers a unique opportunity to work alongside frontline communities, government agencies, regional organisations, and NGOs to generate impactful, applied research.

You will be based in the School of the Environment, a vibrant and interdisciplinary hub that brings together expertise in environmental management, conservation, environmental science, geography, and human society, among other fields.

The School offers access to world-class facilities, collaborative research networks, and a strong culture of applied, impact-driven research. Candidates will thrive in a dynamic environment focused on addressing complex global challenges, including climate change, environmental resilience, and sustainable resource management.

As part of the ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship, you will engage with a multi-stakeholder consortium, including national governments, regional organisations, and NGOs, providing unique opportunities for funded fieldwork, policy engagement, and co-designed research across three Pacific Island countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of climate change adaptation, loss and damage, or community-based research would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of geography, environmental science, development studies, Indigenous studies, or related disciplines and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of Pacific Island contexts, participatory research methods, or policy engagement is highly desirable.

Equity criteria

PhD candidates will be actively recruited from the Pacific region, with a focus on supporting scholars from frontline communities in the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu. This approach ensures long-term benefits as graduates return to their communities as loss and damage experts, strengthening local capacity and leadership in climate response.

How to apply

In addition to a cover letter, CV, and academic transcripts, applicants must submit a 2-page project proposal outlining their initial research ideas and how these align with the aims of the ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship (noted above). This proposal will help assess the applicant’s fit and serve as a foundation for co-designing the final PhD project.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 15 April, 2026 15 April, 2026.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Professor Karen McNamara (karen.mcnamara@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the ‘Scholarship/Sponsorship’ section with the following details:

1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
2. Project: 'Research project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: PACIFIC-MCNAMARA
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/co-developing-solutions-address-climate-driven-loss-and-damage-pacific

Submit an EOI