[csaa-forum] MPhil/PhD Scholarship: The Lived Experience of Disability for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia

[Emily-Kate Ringle-Harris]

Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University

*Master of Philosophy or PhD Scholarship (commencing January 2017)*
 
THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF DISABILITY FOR ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES IN AUSTRALIA

The Institute for Culture and Society invites applications from highly motivated graduates seeking to undertake either a Master of Philosophy or PhD to work with ARC DECRA Fellow Dr Karen Soldatic on a project related to Karen's Fellowship. The aim of the project is to examine the impact of disability policy on the lives of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, from regional towns and communities in Broome, Townsville, Geelong and Wollongong. Applicants should be able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural capability in engaging with communities, particularly in rural and regional areas. A key criteria is a strong interest in disability (or ability) studies.

Potential applicants should contact Dr Karen Soldatic (email k.soldatic at westernsydney.edu.au or phone (02) 9685 9533) to discuss their interests and to ensure their research proposal is relevant to the project.

*What does a scholarship at ICS provide?*

All students receive: 
- Support for conference, fieldwork and additional costs as appropriate.
- A rich environment of support and academic expertise via supervisory panels, seminars, colloquia, and international and industry collaborations.
- Relocation allowance of up to $1,455 for an interstate move.

Domestic students receive: 
- Tax free stipend of up to $26,288 per annum for 2 years for a Master of Philosophy or for 3 years for PhD and a funded place in the relevant program.

International applicants are ineligible to apply.

*Essential criteria:* 
- Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent?
- Do you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Person?
- Are you known and accepted as such in the community in which you live or have lived?
- Applicants should hold an Australian Bachelor Honours degree, or a Bachelor degree and demonstration in an appropriate discipline or disciplines of a capacity for research.

*Application requirements:* 
- Copy of your Confirmation of Identity documentation.
- This is an identified scholarship and applicants must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Person. Applicants must provide the documentary evidence that they are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity in line with the Commonwealth of Australia definition for administrative purposes.

*Next steps*
For information about the application process, contact Karen Soldatic (email k.soldatic at westernsydney.edu.au or phone (02) 9685 9533).

*How to apply*
- Submit a scholarship application form, CV, and all other relevant supporting documentation to the Graduate Research School (email grs.scholarships at westernsydney.edu.au) before the closing date of *5 SEPTEMBER 2016*.
- Applicants should ensure that all relevant documents are certified according to Western Sydney University requirements. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- For queries regarding the application process or enrolment contact the Graduate Research School at grs.scholarships at westernsydney.edu.au or phone (02) 4736 0966.

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See the ICS website http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/ics/higher_degree_research/the_lived_experience_of_disability_for_aboriginal_and_or_torres_strait_islander_peoples_in_australia for details including hyperlinks to relevant further details (e.g. scholarship applications form and Confirmation of Identity documentation).