The biosocial shaping of conservation and biodiversity in Australia's capital

This scholarship supports PhD research on the biosocial nature of ecology and conservation through an exciting inter-disciplinary and mixed-method collaboration exploring the complex relationship between natural and social systems in various biodiversity conservation domains in the Australian Capital Territory. There are two PhD positions available, each addressing specific research questions. The first project focuses on feral animals, invasive plants and ecosystem management, examining how society can navigate risks and opportunities of different invasive species control methods through collective deliberation and public engagement. The second project explores the visual field of 'future natures' in ACT's woodlands, investigating how conservationists and diverse publics cultivate shared and competing ecological visions through image circulation on platforms like social media, camera traps, and citizen science platforms. Successful candidates will work closely with ANU faculty, the ACT Government, The Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, and other relevant stakeholders. Each project will be supervised by an interdisciplinary panel comprising leading scholars, knowledge brokers and practitioners across multiple disciplines. The scholarship provides an $8,000 per annum top-up for 3 years when candidates secure an Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) PhD scholarship or similar ANU PhD scholarship valued at $28,092 AUD.