Bupa Australia & New Zealand PhD Scholarships

$35,000 per annum for 3.5 years.

Successful international applicants will be provided with tuition fee waiver.

Two scholarships available

Satisfy RMIT University’s Doctor of Philosophy entry requirements.

Candidates with excellent written and communication skills, demonstrated capacity to work independently and as a part of a team, and experience in research are preferred.

Interested applicants should first email Professor Kerryn Butler-Henderson via kerryn.butler-henderson@rmit.edu.au by 31 October 2022, with:

• A cover letter - outlining interest and alignment with the proposed research (see Further Information)
• A copy of electronic academic transcripts
• A short CV (including the contact details of two referees).

The successful candidate will be supported to develop a formal PhD application to RMIT. Scholarship applications will only be successful if prospective candidates are provided with an offer for admission from RMIT University.

Applications are now open

25 November 2022, 11:59pm AEDT

Project 1: The aim of this industry led research is to work closely with Bupa, a global healthcare organisation, on exploring the impact of external forces such as the pandemic on how consumer behaviours are evolving towards health and wellbeing (proactive vs reactive…), the areas of focus in terms of information search (eg: google search…) and spending habits in pursuit of health and wellbeing (eg; food, supplements, wearables…). Leveraging those insights from changing behaviours, there will be existing and emerging opportunities as to how to better design health and wellbeing human experiences that matter. The research will not only (i) inform on those changes providing a deeper understanding of how different customer behavioural segments are evolving but it will also (ii) challenge the thinking in exploring design concepts of better human experiences that could lead to new value creation. A balance of curiosity and creativity is key.

Project 2: The aim of this industry led research is to work closely with Bupa, a global healthcare organisation, on exploring the convergence of three key mega-trends and the consequential rise of hybrid virtual care models and their application across the APAC region. The three megatrends are (i) the rise of healthcare consumerism and changes in human behaviours, (ii) the multiplication of digital health innovations in an exponential world and (iii) the convergence of industries (eg: big platform players bold plans in healthcare…). Combined, they are disrupting the business model of healthcare and we are seeing the emergence of different hybrid virtual care models powered by platform and better system thinking.

Understanding how humans are embracing digital health solutions (including wearables), the growth of personal digital diagnostic habits and the resultant tsunami of health data have both strategic and business model implications. Two key priorities for this research are (i) to inform through meaningful insights and (ii) challenge the thinking in exploring emerging strategic options.

Professor Kerryn Butler-Henderson

kerryn.butler-henderson@rmit.edu.au