Flinders PhD in Resilience: understanding of the concept of resilience and its application(s) in preparing for and surviving through long term drought.

Change lives and change the world with impactful PhD research funded by Flinders University as a component of the Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants, Future Drought Fund (Australian Government) project titled: South Australian Climate Resilience Discovery Farms and Innovator sites. A project delivering innovative applied science to improve the climate resilience of cropping, livestock, and mixed farms, assessed through a network of long-term trials across the pastoral, low, medium, and high rainfall zones of SA.

• Receive a $40,000 (2024 full-time rate) per annum scholarship tax free, for up to 3.5 years.
• Apply your research skills working with an experienced team of researchers within the university’s Torrens Resilience Initiative https://www.flinders.edu.au/torrens-resilience-initiative.html

Flinders University is offering a PhD Scholarship focussed on enhancing understanding of the concept of resilience, and its application in the context of drought, including through integration of resilience into farm-gate and wider rural community social and business ecosystems.

The Torrens Resilience Initiative (TRI) is one of Australia’s longest-standing research initiatives dedicated to disaster preparedness and management. Our research is advancing the concept of resilience and helping organisations, communities and nations balance disaster preparedness and prevention, response and recovery. Our research advises and guides government policy, prepares communities and empowers people to minimise the impacts of possible natural hazards, health and security risks or humanitarian and other emergencies in Australia and around the world.

The concept of resilience is used to describe how people and communities cope in the face of change and uncertainty. It underpins an approach that builds our capacity to survive better through acute or longer-term, and often severe, disruptions that threaten our complex and interconnected social systems. The concept is widely debated and often compared with other concepts including resistance and risk. Through this PhD we are looking for an extensive and critical re-imagining of the resilience concept that will underpin future innovative solutions to drought and other disruptive events.

This inspiring project involves:

• A deep dive and re-interpretation of a fundamental concept underpinning policy, evaluation, and interventions for disaster risk reduction at national community and individual levels.
• An opportunity to inform the application of the resilience concept to farm-gate practices and broader rural communities threatened by drought.

This PhD Scholarship offers:

• $40,000 per annum tax free, for up to 3.5 years
• Access to academic and industry expertise through joint supervision across the College of Business, Government and Law, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Torrens Resilience Initiative.
• A supportive environment, located in the College of Business, Government and Law, and working alongside College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Torrens Resilience Initiative researchers across disciplines, 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 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
• Scholarship recipients are expected to take up their studies as soon as practicable within a timeframe specified by the Office of Graduate Research, up to maximum of 3 months from the time of acceptance of the scholarship.  In exceptional circumstances and with approval of the University, this time may be extended to 6 months.
• Any other eligibility criteria relevant to the research project (e.g. have or able to apply for a National Police Criminal History Check)

It is desirable for applicants to also have:

• A high level of verbal communication and organisational skills
• An emergency management background