Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 February 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
Antarctica is a unique place that does not have native human population to preserve the area from human activities. The overarching goal of the Antarctic Treaty System aims to preserve the peace of the region, allowing scientific freedom of investigation and observations. The overarching goal of the treaty system is to foster peaceful collaboration among nations for scientific purposes and to protect Antarctica's delicate ecosystem from harmful human activities. However, through the recent years, Antarctic tourism is on the rise, with a record of 105,331 people visiting the sensitive Antarctic Peninsula during the 2022-2023 season (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, 2023).
The increase in tourists poses significant environmental risks including fuel spills, collisions with marine life, trampling of delicate mosses and plants, risk of foreign organisms introduced to the region, therefore exacerbating the vulnerability of climate related risks (Leane, et al., 2023). While there have been efforts made to reduce human activities contributing to climate change globally, there are arguments highlighting a "broken science-society contract" (Glavovic et al., 2022, p.829). Tourism in the Antarctic presents an ideal case for exploring this broken science-society contract (Hughes, Convey and Turner, 2021), and the role of carbon literacy (Carbon Literacy Project, 2023) in mending this fissure.
This study aims to explore the importance and effectiveness of Carbon Literacy Training in the Antarctic tourism industry, understanding the perceptions of climate change, behavioural changes and other longer-term impacts of such education. The study will adopt a mixed methodology, implementing quantitative and qualitative approaches to examine the behaviour and practices of various stakeholders including tour operators, B Corp, tourists and employees.
The research findings will be significant to carbon literacy trainers, Antarctic tour operators and the wider tourism industry and relevant regulators and policymakers who are interested in preserving the Antarctic region from climate degradation.
References:
Carbon Literacy Project, About us, viewed 17 November 2023, .
Glavovic, B. C., Smith, T. F., & White, I. (2022). The tragedy of climate change science. Climate and Development, pp.1–5.
Hughes, K.A., Convey, P. and Turner, J. (2021). Developing resilience to climate change impacts in Antarctica: An evaluation of Antarctic Treaty System protected area policy. Environmental Science & Policy, 124, pp.12-22.
International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, Data and Statistics, viewed 11 November, 2023.
Leane, E., Hardy, A., Ooi, C.S., Philpott, C., Nielsen, H.E.F., Marx, K., More than 100,000 tourists will head to Antarctica this summer. Should we worry about damage to the ice and its ecosystems?, The Conversation, viewed 14 November 2023, .
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Primary Supervisor
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $33,511 per annum (2025 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Must have already completed Carbon Literacy Training and be certified, or willing to undertake and complete the Carbon Literacy Training
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Mitali Panchal to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 February 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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