National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education
Student research opportunities
The National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) has a limited number of opportunities available for people who are interested and eligible to undertake research degrees (predominantly PhDs but also Honours) as a student of the University of South Australia and in association with the NCSEHE.
The Centre is particularly interested in applications from students interested in researching issues in education, social policy and international studies.
Eligible students will:
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be supervised by NCSEHE staff and enrolled in one of the Schools within the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences (EASS)
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undertake individual research projects as part of a group of research students and researchers working on a larger research project (see details below)
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be able to apply for a scholarship to support their study (see details below)
Honours Projects
In 2009, a cohort (5 maximum) of Honours students will undertake qualitative case studies in Adelaide schools (one school per researcher) researching teachers, students and parents, as part of a larger project focused on the relationships between students' socioeconomic status and the formation of aspiration to undertake university study. Specifically, the study asks:
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When do students make decisions about undertaking higher education?
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What is the decision? Do these decisions differ according to a student's socioeconomic status?
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What are the contextual issues that inform these decisions? What is the influence of family, peers and teachers?
Honours scholarships are valued at $4,000 for a period of one year only. Students who plan to conduct their Honours project within the NCSEHE are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit an academic transcript and a CV, and may be required to attend an interview. Successful candidates will be determined by a panel comprising staff from the NCSEHE (including the Director) and a member of staff from the School in which the student is enrolled.
Up to five scholarships are available. Applications for scholarships are welcome up to Friday 13 March 2009, although applicants need to be aware that offers may be made before this date. An early submission is advised. Late applications (after Friday 13 March) will be received if places are still available. Enquiries should be made directly to Lalita.McHenry@unisa.edu.au or 8302 4082.
The Centre is particularly interested in receiving applications from students who intend to undertake a PhD within the Centre after completing Honours.
Honours projects and scholarships may be available for 2010. Contact the Centre for details in the second half of 2009.
PhD projects
Students with interests in social justice in education are encouraged to apply. Projects may focus on: (i) issues within higher education and, to the extent that they are related to higher education, (ii) issues within other education sectors and (iii) the relations between education sectors. The importance of higher education to society and economy and the internationalization of higher education are also possible areas for research.
Applications will be considered to the extent that the proposed research project is able to contribute to broader projects being undertaken within the Centre. An initial set of key research questions and current areas of interest informing the Centre's research agenda can be found at its web site. The site also contains information on current Centre projects.
http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkeinstitute/ncsehe
Prospective applicants should consult this site in the preparation of their research proposals. Applicants are also encouraged to discuss their application with the Centre Director, Professor Trevor Gale.
PhD scholarships are valued at $26,669 pa for a period of three years. Limited relocation expenses may be reimbursed. A thesis allowance is available. Students who plan to conduct their PhD within the NCSEHE are eligible to apply.
Top Up Scholarships are available to PhD students who have been awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award at UniSA and who want to pursue a research program within the Centre that broadly contributes to the Centre's research agenda. The scholarships valued at $6,133 pa for a period up to three years.
Further information about PhD study and scholarships can be found at http://www.unisa.edu.au/scholarship/