Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant – Tackling methamphetamine supply in rural and regional Australia

Flinders University are offering two fully funded PhD scholarships as part of a 5-year Australian Research Council Discovery Project titled “Tackling crystal methamphetamine supply in rural and regional Australia.” Be part of an innovative and multi-disciplinary project that is exploring the increased availability of crystal methamphetamine (ice) in Australian rural and regional communities. This exciting project involves working with a leading team of criminologists, drug policy scholars and public health scholars to better understand the drivers and impacts of methamphetamine supply across three Australian states (SA, NSW and Victoria) as well as innovative ways to reduce supply and associated harms.

The two PhD students will undertake detailed ethnographic research in one regional community and will reside in and become immersed in the community for at least six months (accommodation to be funded through grant). They will undertake interviews with local stakeholders and observe impacts (social, health, crime) and analyse how and why supply is occurring in that local community. One PhD student will focus on the impacts of drug law enforcement on methamphetamine supply whilst the other will examine the factors facilitating or hindering community resilience to methamphetamine.

The PhD projects will be based at Flinders University with periods of extended fieldwork in regional communities in SA, NSW and Victoria. The students will be supervised by Associate Professor Caitlin Hughes – Criminologist and Drug Policy Researcher (principal supervisor); Professor Mark Halsey – Criminologist; and Professor Jacqueline Bowden, Director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction. Each are leading experts in their fields. Each student will also be supported by their own regional community supervisor. 

The scholarship includes:

• An indexed stipend valued at $33,000 per annum tax free for 3 years, with possible extension;
• A supportive environment to learn leading-edge research methods and become an expert in your area;
• The opportunity to work in a team and tackle a criminological, public health and organised crime issue of national significance.

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must:

• Be an Australian citizen; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status; and
• Meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant; and
• Be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in first quarter of 2025, if not sooner; 
• Have a driver’s license;
• Undertake a National Police Criminal History Check.

It is desirable for applicants to also have:

• Experience in ethnographic or qualitative research 
• Experience in criminology and/or drug and alcohol research
• Lived experience living in a rural or regional community