Purpose
UNSW Law & Justice wishes to offer two PhD scholarships for applicants with outstanding research potential and a demonstrated interest in disaster law, human rights law, international humanitarian law, or diplomatic and consular law. The PhD candidates will be part of the Evacuations Research Hub at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law. The research is funded by the Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship of Scientia Professor Jane McAdam AO on ‘Evacuations in International Law: Disasters, Conflict and Humanitarian Crises’.
Evacuations encompass an array of measures with different legal underpinnings, ranging across many international law sub-fields. The Evacuations Research Hub provides the first sustained, integrated legal analysis of how evacuations are conceptualised, regulated and carried out at the international, regional and national levels.
While evacuations can be a lifesaving tool, by their very nature they displace people – often for prolonged periods and at great social, economic and personal cost. Evacuees may be left in legal, physical and emotional limbo, without homes, livelihoods or support networks.
Proposals should align with the broader research conducted by the Evacuations Research Hub. However, we are particularly interested in proposals that focus on the following issues:
a) the legal regulation of evacuations in either the Philippines or Fiji, potentially evaluated in light of regional and/or international frameworks
b) historical analysis of particular examples or types of evacuations, potentially including the role of humanitarian organisations in evacuations;
c) the extraterritorial dimensions of State responsibility in international law when it comes to evacuating people in need
d) whether/how the needs of particular groups are safeguarded in evacuations (especially older people and people with disabilities).
Some funding will be available for fieldwork and related travel.
The successful candidates will have a unique opportunity to be part of a world-leading and agenda-setting research program. They will be supervised by Scientia Professor Jane McAdam, Dr Regina Jefferies and/or Dr Thomas Mulder. They will become part of the Evacuations Research Hub and the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, with opportunities to engage in their many activities and networks.
UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of displacement and/or from the Global South. We also welcome proposals from candidates with fieldwork experience and/or an interest in socio-legal or archival methods.
Deadline
Applications are open until 30 April 2025 or until filled.
Amount
The scholarship stipend will be equivalent to the value of a Research Training Program Scholarship (the 2025 rate is $38,438 per annum). These scholarships generally receive favourable tax treatment and enable international candidates to apply for a tuition fee waiver.
Tenure
Four 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.
Candidates will be enrolled in the School of Global and Public Law at UNSW Law & Justice. 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 (see UNSW Scholarship Terms and Conditions). 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 disaster law, human rights law, international humanitarian law, or diplomatic and consular law
And one or more of the following:
- an undergraduate degree in Law with a minimum Honours Class II, Division (I) that includes a substantial research component (or equivalent)
- a postgraduate qualification in Law (including a substantial research component) with an average that equates to a Distinction average at UNSW (80%)
- 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) the applicant’s written and oral communication skills
c) the quality of the research proposal
d) the applicant’s research experience and potential
e) the fit between the applicant’s proposal and the focus areas of the Laureate Fellowship
f) the applicant’s interest and experience in at least one of the nominated areas of law above.