Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 February 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
About the research project
Across Australia, people involved in fisheries and aquaculture need useful and relevant climate information that meets rapidly changing needs. They also need ways to share how they are currently dealing with climate change and how they could improve their responses. This interdisciplinary project will explore: What do Australian seafood producers need to know about climate change? What are they already seeing in terms of change in their fisheries? What are the knowledge gaps? Are fishers more or less aware of risks, more or less hopeful about the future, and more or less prepared to adapt than general society and other sectors? And, what are the most effective mechanisms to engage fisheries stakeholders?
Effective engagement with fisheries stakeholders has been identified as a key component in climate adaptation. This project will examine what are the preferred communication channels for fisheries stakeholders on climate, evaluate innovative approaches to communication, and identify more effective ways to engage the fishing community in climate information that can help prepare the sector for the changes ahead. The project will also investigate the use of AI in building climate literacy and how that impacts engagement and trust.
This PhD will use the large national FRDC Sea Change Australia as a key research platform, that is engaging directly with fisheries stakeholders from across the country using a Q&A approach similar to Curious Climate. Engagement will be evaluated based on regions (e.g. states of Australia, rural/remote vs cities), sector (recreational, commercial, aquaculture), operator types (individual operator vs large industrial operations), stock status, climate risk, engagement type (e.g. questions asked at live events vs via industry meetings vs digital submissions). The analysis of climate change questions submitted to Sea Change Australia will define the “taxonomy” of knowledge gaps about climate risks and adaptation in fisheries and aquaculture – enabling a better understanding of marine climate literacy.
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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:
- Background in social science and social research methods, including working with stakeholders for co-production of information 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
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Prof Gretta Pecl 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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