Urban Futures PhD Scholarship 2024-2025

Urban Futures PhD Scholarship 2024-2025

A PhD scholarship is available within the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University working on a current topic in urban studies linked to the research program of Urban Futures EIP Director, Professor Jago Dodson.

This scholarship is awarded through the University’s research scholarship rounds and the scholarship will be awarded to the most competitive applicants. All scholarship applications are ranked in accordance with the ranking model that has been approved by RMIT’s Research Committee.

Potential topic areas include:

  • National level urban policies in theory and practice
  • Public transport network planning theory, practice, governance and evaluation
  • The political economy of housing systems and housing policy
  • Urban political economy including class dynamics in urban process
  • Theories of urban crisis and transformation
  • The ‘infrastructure turn’ in urban policy
  • Urban governance at the global scale
  • Democratic and participatory post-war reconstruction for Ukraine and/or Gaza
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The Urban Futures scholarship provides the recipient with:

  • A stipend of $35,886 per annum pro rata-2025 rate (full-time study). This amount is subject to indexation annually.
  • International candidates in receipt of this scholarship are also awarded an RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship (RRITFS).
  • All local candidates, Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia are provided with an RTP Fee Offset scholarship. Applicants in receipt of an RTP Fee Offset scholarship are not required to pay tuition fees for the maximum duration of their candidature.
  • A relocation allowance for the cost of relocating in order to take up their postgraduate research program. The amount is up to $515 per adult and $255 per child to a maximum of $1,540.
  • The Scholarship include provision for paid sick, maternity and parenting leave (see RMIT scholarship terms and conditions for details).
  • The standard duration of a research doctoral scholarship is three and a half years full-time. The duration of a research Masters scholarship is two years full-time, with no additional extension available.
  • The duration of an RRSS will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken towards a research degree at the same level, prior to the commencement of the RMIT research program.

It is expected that the candidate for this scholarship will undertake an internship with an industry, government or civil society partner as part of their candidature, subject to agreement.

Scholarship is awarded based on a competitive selection process that ranks applicants according to their academic achievement, research outputs and relevant professional experience.

Priority is given to the applicant who: 

  • Have achieved a high distinction in the final two years of the qualifying program(s). At RMIT a grade of high distinction represents an academic achievement of 80% or higher 
  • May be considered by RMIT as having an equivalent level of academic attainment, considering previous study, relevant work experience, research publications and other research experience
  • Must take receipt of a scholarship for a minimum 12-month duration on a full-time basis (or part-time equivalent) because of prior enrolment in a graduate research program 
  • Have not already completed a graduate research program at the same or higher course level. For example, PhD applicants should not have already completed a PhD
  • Will be enrolled and primarily based at an RMIT Australian campus. 

International applicants must meet English language requirements by the application closing date to be considered for a scholarship.

Part-time study load is not accepted.

Deferral considerations may be limited.

Please refer to the Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions for further details.

Open now.

31 October 2024 (Australian Eastern Standard Time/ Australian Daylight Savings time).

Early applications are encouraged.

To enquire about the Urban Futures EIP PhD Scholarship 2024-2025, please contact Urban Futures EIP Director, Professor Jago Dodson, jago.dodson@rmit.edu.au.

Following initial discussions, a preliminary expression of interest may be invited. If preliminary candidate and topic suitability is determined, a recommendation to submit a full EOI to the RMIT School of Graduate Research will be offered. 

RMIT University

RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise. The University’s mission is to help shape the world through research, innovation and engagement, and to create transformative experiences for students to prepare them for life and work. For more information on RMIT University follow the links below.

Urban Futures Enabling Impact Platform

The Urban Futures Enabling Impact Platform enables RMIT researchers to achieve impact through their research, across the university’s ‘smart and sustainable cities ‘priority area, in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, and globally.  Urban Futures EIP Platform activities include:

  • Supporting multi-disciplinary cross-university impact networks
  • Fostering an enabling culture of engagement for impact
  • Enabling thought leadership on matters of industry, government and civil society importance
  • Facilitating diverse translation pathways for research impact
  • Leading and assisting with large scale research initiatives

Centre for Urban Research

The Centre for Urban Research is a dynamic collegial hub for interdisciplinary research on these critical issues. Through its research, the centre aims to contribute new knowledge and understanding that is grounded in real-world problems, critical in orientation and collaborative in its approach to making and sharing knowledge. 

Researchers in CUR are leading experts in the fields of geography, urban planning, transport, public policy, economics, environmental science, ecology, spatial analysis, history, health promotion, and political science.

CUR is located at RMIT University’s city campus and has strong partnerships with researchers, centres, practitioners and change-makers across Australia and internationally.

Professor Jago Dodson

Jago Dodson is Professor of Urban Policy at RMIT University and works in the Research and Innovation Portfolio as the Director of the Urban Futures Enabling Impact Platform. Jago has an extensive record of research into urban problems addressing a wide array of housing, transport, urban planning, urban policy, governance, infrastructure, energy, and spatial labour market questions, often with a suburban dimension.

Professor Jago Dodson, jago.dodson@rmit.edu.au.

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