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Elite Research Scholarship
The University Department of Rural Health, in collaboration with the Graduate Research Program at the University of Tasmania, is offering one Elite Research Scholarship for potential applicant to undertake PhD research in rural health arena. The Elite Research Scholarship is valued at $30K per annum, tax-free, and is available for three years, with a possible six-month extension. Information about Elite Research Scholarship and how to apply is available at: http://www.utas.edu.au/graduate-research/elite
To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must enrol with the University Department of Rural Health and undertake either of the following research themes:
 Social and Cultural Geography
Project Title: The New Rural: The changing socio-cultural face of rural communities in Australia
Project Description:
People in rural and regional areas face relative disadvantage in regard to access to services and infrastructure, particularly in the area of health. Efforts to address this differential, and the discourse in which they are based, are dominated by a very ‘traditional’ view of rural community. This study will argue that this view is simplistic and most likely, increasingly inaccurate.
Rural and regional communities in Australia face rapid social, demographic and economic change associated with, among other things, substantial population movements out of the small agricultural communities, not only into major cities, but also into high amenity, peri-urban and/or coastal rural communities. This is producing a growing divide between rural ‘winners and losers’. Although there is substantial research into the economic consequences of these changes, we currently have little understanding of how changing demographic profiles – especially the flows of working age families and so-called ‘sea’ and ‘tree’ changers - are changing the fundamental socio-cultural nature of rural communities.
There is an urgent need to challenge the prevailing monolithic, traditional rural narrative of stoicism, self-sufficiency and ‘close knit’ communities awash with social capital, that currently dominates the discourse around rural policy, and replace it with a more nuanced, dynamic and up-to-date understanding as a basis for future policy development and service planning. This study will use a mixed method, multi-source approach to construct a more current picture of the changing socio-cultural face of non-metropolitan Australian communities with a focus on evolving narratives, mores and social norms.
Contact:
Dr Peter Orpin
Senior Research Fellow
University Department of Rural Health, Tasmania
University of Tasmania
Locked Bag 103
Hobart 7000
Phone: (03) 6226 7344
Email: Peter.Orpin@utas.edu.au
Innovative approaches to substance abuse prevention
Project Title : Alcohol-related social norms among university students
Project Description:
In the northern hemisphere, the ‘social norms’ approach to health promotion has experienced a rapid and impressive rise to prominence. In the space of only two decades it has become one of the most widely used prevention approaches in the United States, particularly within the education sector, and use of the approach is steadily gaining momentum in the UK, Canada and other countries. With the exception of the Social Norms Analysis Project in Tasmania in 2006-7, no substantial social norms work has been conducted in Australia, but there is considerable interest in the potential application of the approach in this country. This project will afford the successful candidate the opportunity to design and conduct a research study which incorporates various elements of social norms theory (which derives mostly from sociology and social-psychology). The project will contribute to knowledge about alcohol consumption by (and/or the prevention of alcohol-related harm among) university students. The successful candidate may wish to focus on a particular group such as female students, first-years, or those living in residential colleges. The project would be suited to qualitative, quantitative or mixed method approach and may also involve a cross-cultural component.
Contact person:
Dr Clarissa Hughes,
Research Fellow & Academic Research Coordinator,
University Department of Rural Health,
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 103
Hobart TAS 7000,
Phone: (03) 6226 7797
Email: Clarissa.Hughes@utas.edu.au
Childrens’ Behaviour and Health
Project Title : ‘Environmental’ approaches to understanding bullying in the school context
Project Description:
Much of the scholarly literature on bullying and interpersonal violence and intimidation by children and young people focuses on the psychological traits and experiences which place individuals ‘at risk’ of becoming a perpetrator or a victim of bullying. While this knowledge is important, there is still much to learn about how problematic behaviours like bullying can be understood, prevented and/or addressed in ways that extend beyond the propensities of the individuals involved. This project will be suited to a candidate with a background in sociology, social work or education (or a related discipline) and the supervision team is likely to be multidisciplinary. The project will provide an opportunity to investigate the ‘environmental’ and other social (rather than individual) factors that can make bullying more or less likely in a given context. A particular focus will be on the contribution that ‘social norms’ theory and/or practice can make to an improved understanding of this complex issue. The project would be suited to qualitative, quantitative or mixed method approach and may also involve a cross-cultural component.
Contact person:
Dr Clarissa Hughes,
Research Fellow & Academic Research Coordinator,
University Department of Rural Health,
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 103
Hobart TAS 7000,
Phone: (03) 6226 7797
Email: Clarissa.Hughes@utas.edu.au
Conference Funding Grants 2009
The University Department of Rural Health is offering four Rural Health conference funding grants in 2009 (two in the first round and two in the second round). The grant will cover conference registration, travel and accommodation up to $1,500 per award. These grants are additional to the allowance for students during their candidatures.
These grants are designed to allow research-active students to attend a national/international conference in 2009 to enhance their research progress. In awarding these grants, preference will be given to students who have been accepted for a full paper presentation (poster presentation excluded), in particular if the paper is peer-reviewed.
To be eligible for these conference funding grants, the applicant must be a research student currently enrolled with the University Department of Rural Health and not on a candidature management plan at the time of application or on leave of absence from candidature during the time of the conference. If you have received funding in the first round, you will not be eligible to apply in the second round. The date of the conference must be within six months of the application closing date.
Awardees must conduct a conference report/reflection seminar at the Graduate Research Workshop series and complete relevant forms for Publication Entry System at UTAS.
Closing dates for applying for the conference funding grants are: 30 March 2009 (for the first round) and 1 October 2009 (for the second round).
- First round applications close at 5pm on Monday 30 March 2009.
- Second round application close at 5pm on Thursday 1st October.
 Application Form
Applications should be sent to:
Dr Quynh Lê, Graduate Research Coordinator
University Department of Rural Health
University of Tasmania
Locked Bag 1372, Launceston, TAS 7250
Email: Quynh.Le@utas.edu.au
Phone: (03) 6324 4053
Fax: (03) 6324 4040
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Australian Government Scholarships (Department of Health and Ageing)
Information on a range of scholarships in medicine, nursing, pharmacy and other health professions to encourage students to undertake a career in
rural health, for health professionals who wish to upgrade their qualifications and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Scholarships for Postgraduate Students
(University of Tasmania)
Students undertaking postgraduate study by research or coursework at the University of Tasmania are eligible for a range of scholarships.
Students may apply for these scholarships at the beginning and mid-year rounds. Aditional rounds may be availabe depending on funding.
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