Communicating Environments

Communicating environment(s): Measuring success, action and the limits of environmental communication

Degree type

PhD, Masters by research

Closing date

1 October 2024

Campus

Hobart, Launceston

Citizenship requirement

Domestic / International

About the research project

Environmental communication is central in efforts to raise awareness, shape public opinion, and motivate action on environmental issues, including climate change, plastics, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Mediated communication is also criticised for raising awareness, stirring emotion, but not offering a path forward.

What capacity does communication hold for getting people, communities, organisations, corporation or governments to think about the environment, and our future, in ways that lead to positive change?

How is the field of environmental communication evolving to a) communicate the differential impacts of climate change on diverse communities across and within regions, and b) to include the stories of those most effected by climate change? What modes of communication are most impactful? How can impact be evaluated?

What do we know about the kinds of communication that influence change, and the factors that support or hinder it? Where are the spaces and flows of communication creating change? How are new forms of mediated communication challenging our assumptions about Environmental Communication?

Building upon Media and Communication's track record in this area, we seek proposals for potential projects that contribute to the understanding and application of Environmental Communication using innovative methodologies, including practice-based and creative methodologies.

We are also interested in projects that seek out particular intersections with environmental communication such as: big data and automation, law, governance and ethics, food security, political and social representation, creative arts and performance, or creative writing.

Explore more Climate Change projects

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Kathleen Williams

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 $32,192 per annum (2024 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.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Applications are open to applications from Media, Fine Arts, Music and Theatre discipline backgrounds, or related disciplines where appropriate.

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:

  • Applications for practice-led projects must demonstrate their experience in that area

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact Dr Kathleen Williams to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. 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.
  4. Apply prior to 1 October 2024.

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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