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About us
UNSW Law & Justice is a top-ranking faculty and a global leader in law and criminology education and research, setting the pace in Australia for 50 years.
We ranked 12th globally for law and legal studies in the 2024 QS World University Rankings and 1st in Australia in the Employer Reputation category by subject. UNSW climbed in the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, placing 20th worldwide for law. In the most recent round of research excellence rankings, UNSW received an ERA rating of 5 for law, the highest possible score.
We're inspired by principles of law and justice and grounded in well-established legal skills. UNSW Law & Justice is committed to social justice and human rights, and to making a difference in this world.
Purpose
UNSW Law & Justice wishes to offer a PhD Scholarship for an applicant with outstanding research potential and a demonstrated interest in international human rights law and the law of the sea. The scholarship is for a doctoral topic related to the Australian Research Council Discovery Project of Justine Nolan, Natalie Klein, and Shelley Marshall (RMIT University) on ‘Remedies for Victims of Modern Slavery in Indo-Pacific Fisheries’.
The ARC Discovery Project (DP250102044) is concerned with modern slavery in Indo-Pacific fisheries. Modern slavery is widespread in the capture stage of fishing in the Indo-Pacific, but remedy is rare. This project aims to identify existing practical and legal obstacles to remedy, and propose solutions under Australian, regional and international laws. In doing so, the research will advance business and human rights scholarship, as well as the developing field of human rights at sea. Extensive stakeholder engagement will produce realistic mechanisms to deliver more accountability and better remedies for this significant and growing problem. Reducing modern slavery in supply chains is an Australian strategic priority and benefits include providing targeted input into the post-2025 Australian National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery.
The proposed thesis topic should broadly relate to current regional initiatives, especially by ASEAN, to respond to abusive practices against fishers and examine the opportunities and obstacles for the regional organization in responding to this issue and broader lessons for ocean governance. The thesis will be part of a larger project examining remedies for victims of modern slavery in capture fisheries in the Indo-Pacific. The scholarship will commence in September 2025, February 2026 or June 2026.
The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Justine Nolan and Professor Natalie Klein and focus primarily on their own PhD project. They will also have the opportunity to participate in any activities held at UNSW or RMIT University under the ARC Discovery Project and will be associated with the Australian Human Rights Institute. Candidates will be enrolled in the School of Global and Public Law at UNSW Law & Justice.
Deadline
Applications are open until 31 March 2025.
Amount
The scholarship stipend will be equivalent to the value of a Research Training Program Scholarship (this rate is $38,438 per annum (2025 rate). These scholarships generally receive favourable tax treatment and enable international candidates to apply for a fee waiver.
Duration
Three and a half (3.5) years, subject to confirmation of candidature and satisfactory progress. It is anticipated that candidates will commence the program in Term 3 2025 (September), Term 1 2026 (February) or Term 2 2026 (June).
Eligibility
Applicants may be Australian citizens, permanent residents or international.
The Scholarship is for study on a full-time basis only, unless there are exceptional personal or medical circumstances that would require study on a part-time basis for all or part of the PhD program. This Scholarship is not open to students already enrolled in a PhD program elsewhere.
Residency requirement
Applicants must pursue their PhD research in Sydney. International applicants are responsible for securing any necessary visas to enable study based in Sydney.
Selection criteria
Applicants must possess:
- excellent academic credentials and a demonstrated interest in studies of law with a focus on public international law, preferably at least one of law of the sea, international humanitarian law and international human rights law; and
- an undergraduate degree in Law with a minimum Honours Class II, Division (I) that includes a substantial research component (or equivalent); or
- a postgraduate qualification in Law (including a substantial research component) with an average that equates to a Distinction average at UNSW (80%); or
- equivalent research or professional experience, supported by references and a detailed CV.
Previous research experience, including completion of a research thesis and/or publications, will be highly valued.
Selection will be based on:
(a) the applicant’s academic qualifications;
(b) their written and oral communication skills;
(c) the quality of their research proposal;
(d) their research experience and potential;
(d) the fit between the applicant’s proposal and the focus areas of the Discovery Project; and
(e) the applicant’s interest and experience in public international law, including international human rights law, law of the sea, and/or law of international organisations.