Gender inequality over the life course: How do we understand and reduce gender inequality in Australia

This is an opportunity for up to 4 PhD scholars to join an exciting new collaborative project investigating gender inequality in Australia. Compared to other countries, Australia has slipped backwards in achieving gender equality and is in danger of falling further behind. This jeopardizes opportunities for all Australians and undermines social cohesion and economic progress. This project aims to provide the theoretical and empirical foundations to reverse this trend. The expected outcomes will be a new theory of gender inequality, a new approach that foregrounds the explanatory importance of caregiving and domestic work and new insights into the life course stages where gender inequality is most malleable.  PhD projects will be designed to investigate specific topics within the overall research program taking account of the skills and interests of each student. The program of research will provide significant benefits including the impetus for new research, policy initiatives and capacity to build a more equal, stronger and prosperous Australia.

The PhD students will be located in the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) at the Long Pocket Campus of The University of Queensland. They will have an opportunity to be affiliated with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Life Course Centre) and have access to training, professional development and collaborative opportunities in both ISSR and the Life Course Centre.

This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $35,000 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Earmarked 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 social science theories relating to social inequality and social research methods would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of sociology or other social science disciplines and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of social science research theory and methods is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2024 30 June, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Professor Janeen Baxter (j.baxter@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now