Improving adaptive responses to the health impacts of climate change through effective communication

There is growing recognition of the fundamental threat that climate change poses to human health. Increases in extreme weather and climate events such as storms, extreme heat, floods, droughts and bushfires will affect health both directly and indirectly. International agencies like the World Health Organisation forecast that climate change will be associated with increased risk of morbidity, noncommunicable diseases, infectious diseases and health emergencies. Although the impacts of climate change on health is garnering research attention, little is known about the communication of this issue and how the public perceives and responds to it. The current PhD project therefore applies a communication lens to the health impacts of climate change. The PhD project will provide important information that could help to develop community resilience and adaptive responses to the health effects of climate change.

This PhD project is within UQ’s defined strength of environmental science (the top 20 in the world). QAEHS has student support programs such as scholarship top-up. The PhD student will be situated in an interdisciplinary environment and will have the opportunity to collaborate with students from a range of disciplines.

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 social science quantitative and/or qualitative methods would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of social science including communication, psychology, sociology, or public health and the potential for scholastic success.

Before you apply

Before submitting an application you should:

1. check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. prepare your documentation
3. contact Professor Kelly Fielding (k.fielding@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability
4. submit your application by 5 May, 2025 5 May, 2025.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for your program. 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'
• ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and in the ‘Name of scholarship’ field enter CLIMATE CHANGE-FIELDING.

Apply now