Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 June 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
Visual storytelling has been shown to be a persuasive strategy for science communication. This is particularly the case in relation to climate change, given that some impacts of climate change are not immediately perceptible. Research has established that publics respond positively to "visual proof" of climate change, and that effective visualisation is a crucial aspect of building the people's climate literacy. Visualisation of climate adaptation strategies has also been shown to be a productive avenue for building support for adaptation initiatives in a terrestrial environment. Less well established is how climate impacts and adaptation strategies can be visualised in a marine context in Australia.
Responding to the established need for appropriate visual communication of climate change, this PhD would investigate how climate change can best be 'visualised' for fisheries in Australia, which are already experiencing significant climate impacts. This PhD would use and test the affordances of visual storytelling including video and story maps in relation to climate impacts and adaptation strategies in marine and fisheries contexts. It would use an experiment to test visual climate communication in marine contexts against other forms of communication, to better delineate what features of visual communication fishers find persuasive for illustrating marine impacts and adaptation pathways. The project would also seek to establish the particular affordances of the visual medium that help people learn and build trust in science, bringing in insights from psychology on responding to climate change.
This PhD will use the national Fisheries Research and Development Corporation SeaChange Australia project as a research context and platform. The PhD would work to test and develop research-informed visual climate communication outputs for SeaChange. Using these outputs and SeaChange Australia as a case study, it would also develop a framework or protocol for visual communication of climate change with marine and fisheries stakeholders.
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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.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
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:
- Background in social science and social research methods, including working with stakeholders, undertaking social research and co-production of project outputs
- Experience in working with and analysing quantitative and qualitative data
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Knowledge of climate change impacts and adaptation in a marine/fisheries context
- Knowledge and experience of climate change communication in the visual medium
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Gabi Mocatta 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 June 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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