Australian Catholic University (ACU) is offering an industry-funded PhD scholarship supported by MacKillop Family Services for someone committed to making schools safer, more inclusive and more responsive.

What you'll investigate The PhD will explore how schools can enhance student physical and sexual safety through prevention, early identification, and/or effective responses to safety concerns. Within this framework, the candidate may choose to examine topics such as:

- building whole-school cultures of safety
- strengthening student voice and protective participation
- addressing new and/or emerging risks to safety
- embedding trauma-informed, inclusive or healing-centred approaches or
- improving how schools recognise and respond to early signs of harm or distress.

The project may also focus on engaging parents, families and carers in safeguarding efforts; strengthening cultural safety and ensuring approaches are adapted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families, as well as those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; or examining how safeguarding practices can be embedded into broader wellbeing, inclusion and school improvement initiatives.



There is scope to use participatory or youth-centred research methods, working directly with students, educators, families and school communities to co-design practical strategies and tools.

Scholarship package The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship package consisting of:

- Stipend scholarship: A$34,315 per annum (tax-free, indexed) for up to 3.5 years, providing financial stability while you focus on your research.
- Tuition fee scholarship: Full tuition fee coverage valued at approximately A$34,728 per annum for up to 3.5 years.
- Industry experience: Gain real-world experience with a minimum of 60 full time equivalent days working alongside industry partners on research and development activities.

How to apply Visit this link for full scholarship details and requirements: https://www.acu.edu.au/research-and-enterprise/graduate-research-school/scholarships/safeguarding-capability

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Associate Dean Tim Moore prior to applying for the PhD program and scholarship, to express their interest and discuss the project in detail.

Email: [email protected]

📌 Industry-funded PhD scholarship at Australian Catholic University (Melbourne)
🏢 Australian Catholic University
📍 Melbourne