Health workforce crisis: understanding political capacity for policy change

Universal access to health care is being undermined by chronic shortages of health workers. Australia is not immune from the crisis – we are expected to face a shortage of 100,000 nurses and 10,000 general practitioners by 2031. However, the crisis is not caused by an absence of viable policy ideas. Instead, policy change in health care requires leadership and, above all, political capacity – the ability to generate support for action, within government, among key stakeholders and the public.

This PhD project is part of a broader research program that analyses responses to the workforce crisis in Australia, Canada, England and New Zealand, seeking to identify communication and collaboration strategies that lead to more effective policymaking for sustainable workforces.

The PhD project will focus on the role of health worker interest groups, such as medical associations and nursing unions, in sub-national jurisdictions (such as the Australian states). Through qualitative research, including semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, it will investigate the strategies that they use to set the policy agenda, collaborate with other stakeholders and negotiate with the government. 

The project will contribute to the public policy literature by deepening understandings of the role of interest groups in addressing major policy crises. It will have the capacity to create benefits for Australia’s health system by generating recommendations for future reform efforts, particularly around the design of collaborative processes that can support policy change and innovation.

This project is part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. You will be hosted at the School of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS), a world-leading centre for research and teaching in political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, and public policy. Your advisory team will constitute leading experts in public and health policy at UQ, and you will join a thriving community of candidates engaged in a diverse range of groundbreaking projects. POLSIS supports PhD candidates with funding for fieldwork and conference travel, as well as specialised postgraduate workshops and training.

More broadly, studying health workforce policy at UQ offers a chance to engage with researchers working on the issue from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including economics, clinical education and public health.

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme 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 qualitative social science methods, such as interviewing, would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of social science, public policy, public health or political science and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of public policy theory or health system reform is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 3, 2026. You can start in an earlier research quarter.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by the closing date for the research quarter (RQ) you want to start in:

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 Dr Adam Hannah (a.hannah@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: 'Fellowship project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: HANNAH-021025
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/health-workforce-crisis-understanding-political-capacity-policy-change

Submit an EOI