The Flinders-ORSR Enterprise PhD scholarship

Flinders University and the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) are offering a PhD Enterprise Scholarship to undertake innovative research on the project titled From dropping out to dropping in: Understanding, developing, and evaluating a method for re-engaging young people in sport.

The Sport, Health, Activity,  Performance and Exercise (SHAPE) Research Centre and the ORSR are collaborating on this research project to (a) understand contemporary dropout behaviour among youth using the PPCT framework, (b) develop an evidence-based method re-engaging youth into sport, and (c) implement and evaluate the method in a local sporting context. The PhD project will identify how ‘late starters’ and ‘early sport adopters’ sampling experiences influence long-term attitudes, behaviours, and sensibilities toward sport participation. The project will also produce an evaluated re-engagement method for all youth including those who are most at risk of dropping out during the age of 10-14 years in aim of supporting more youth ‘drop back’ into sport.

The ORSR is the lead agency for the Government’s policy on sport and active recreation and brings significant industry experience to the project. The ORSR’s vision is focused on three areas: Active State, Connected Communities and Inspire Performance. It aims to ensure that lifelong movement, play and performance is part of a daily routine; to bring people together to build strong, healthy, safe and more resilient communities; and, to empower people to achieve their sporting dreams. The SHAPE Research Centre is also committed to the PhD project’s aims and has complimentary research strengths in the area of movement behaviours. SHAPE is committed to high quality translational research that will enhance knowledge and understanding around sport and physical activity.

The PhD Enterprise Scholarship also includes an internship of at least 60 full-time equivalent days, agreed to in written form within 18 months of candidature, undertaken and completed prior to completion of the PhD, during which you will be embedded with the industry partner team, developing your network, and gaining insight into the everyday research practices of an industry-leading/service driven organisation.

This PhD Enterprise Scholarship offers:

• $28,854 (2022 full-time rate, indexed annually) per annum tax free, for up to 3.5 years
• Access to academic and industry expertise through joint supervision
• A supportive environment to learn leading-edge research methods and become an expert in your area
• The opportunity to manage a complex research project and respond innovatively to challenges
• A collaborative research community where you can enhance your skills and build your network to progress your research career. 

To be eligible for a PhD Enterprise Scholarship you will need:

• to be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or have, or are eligible to apply for, a relevant international visa; and
• meet Flinders University PhD admission requirements – an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), or evidence of equivalent research experience, such as refereed publications or significant experience as a lead researcher; and
• are available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University in 2022.
• any other eligibility criteria relevant to the industry partner/research project (eg have or able to apply for a National Police Criminal History Check)

It is desirable for applicants to also have:

• experience in, or willingness to learn, mixed-methods research
• a keen interest in the area of young people in sport
• a keen interest in the PhD research project