Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Disability and Community Inclusion

Undertake a PhD in Disability and Community Inclusion

Help be the change and create better communities to build community inclusion and challenge marginalisation.

Develop the knowledge to contribute to ground-breaking research which promotes human rights, social inclusion, and supports quality in practice.

A range of exciting PhD opportunities are available aligned to innovative research and scholarship in disability studies.

Our team is part of the Flinders Caring Futures Institute, working with leading organisations, professionals, community partners and people with disability to pioneer outcome-driven research that makes a positive impact on people’s lives, tackling some of the world’s most ‘wicked problems’.

We support diversity and warmly welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates and people who experience marginalisation.

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Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing)

Duration: 4 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 106270H

Annual fees:
2025: $42,700

Further information on fees listed

Master of Science (Nursing)

Duration: 2 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 106281E

Annual fees:
2025: $42,700

Further information on fees listed

Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) / Master of Business Administration (Future Business)

Duration: 5 years

Delivery mode:
In Person

Location:
Bedford Park

CRICOS code: 113534H

Annual fees:
2025 MBA (Future Business): $42,700
2025 PhD (Nursing): $42,700

Further information on fees listed

Research supervisors

How to apply

Enquire

Why undertake a PhD in Disability and Community Inclusion at Flinders

Our emphasis is on community-led and community-focused work that builds on capacity and strength. We still recognise the very real levels of disadvantage faced by individual people and communities, and the way that systems and structures shape this experience.
Co-design and coproduction are fundamental to our approach, ensuring people with disability drive research design, implementation and sharing of outcomes.
Contribute to a culture where people with disability are involved in all parts of the leadership, learning, teaching and research community.
Benefit from our partnerships with government, service providers, industry and community both nationally and internationally to collaborate and deliver evidence-based transformative change to industry, individuals and community.
Join our highly collaborative research culture, working alongside and with highly awarded researchers and supervisors who are nationally and internationally recognised in their fields.
Be involved in the research from the Caring Futures Institute which develops the evidence to inform the services that people with disability deserve greater wellbeing, participation, belonging and safer relationships.

PhD opportunities

We take an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to research in the Caring Futures Institute across multiple domains important to people with disability, including:

Quality in formal services and supports
Preventing and responding to violence and abuse
Improving the quality of education and learning
Understanding and generating social and emotional wellbeing

PhD opportunities and supervisors within the Caring Futures Institute also welcome and encourage your own research project ideas that may not fit into the research areas above.

Your career

Potential occupations include:

Researcher
Policy maker
Senior academic
Consultant
Senior manager.

Potential employers include:

Universities
Government sector
Statutory bodies
Non-government organisations
Private sector
Research institutes
Self-employment.

Caring Futures Institute

The Caring Futures Institute is Australia’s first fully dedicated research centre for the study of self-care and caring solutions leading to better lives, better communities, better care and better systems across the population’s lifespan.

Learn More

Research in Disability and Community Inclusion

Research in Disability and Community Inclusion (RDCI) is a website to share the research of academic staff working in Disability and Community Inclusion at Flinders University.

Learn more

Potential research supervisors

Flinders’ Disability and Community Inclusion researchers are experienced scholars and practitioners. They are leaders in research in disability studies, social policy, psychology, sociology, clinical psychology, education and behaviour analysis. Our research supervisors draw on their extensive knowledge and experience to generate a human rights approach to inclusion across Australia and internationally.

Learn what to prepare before approaching a potential research supervisor.

Ready to find the perfect supervisor for your research journey?
Explore Research @ Flinders.

Find a supervisor

How to apply

Review the course rule

Check your eligibility

Find a research supervisor

Find out about scholarships and fees

Prepare your application

Apply now

Enquire now

Review answers to regularly asked questions about applying for a higher degree by research (FAQs).

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For queries relating specifically to a project, direct your enquiry to the College where you plan to study.