Scholarships
Scholarships are now available for students interested in studying with us at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS). ARCSHS conducts world-class research and education on the social dimensions of sexuality, gender, health and human relationships. We work collaboratively with other researchers, communities, community-based organisations, government and professionals to advance knowledge and promote positive change in policy, practice and people’s lives. Study at ARCSHS and you could work with national and international research leaders to make a difference.
Scholarships can help with living costs, fee relief and more.
La Trobe University administers a range of scholarships. Scholarships are also available from a variety of private and external sources. For latest information on scholarships at La Trobe, visit the La Trobe Scholarships page.
For further information, contact the Graduate Research School: Admissions.GRS@latrobe.edu.au
ARCSHS project-based graduate research scholarships
ARCSHS supports a range of doctoral scholarships, available for students interested in aligning their studies with specific research projects being conducted at the Centre.
Successful applicants will receive a scholarship that can help with fee-relief, living costs, and more.
Mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services for LGBTQ+ people in Australia
The Optimise+ Project is seeking two highly motivated PhD students to join our research team on a project that aims to develop new knowledge about how lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, queer and other gender and sexuality diverse (LGBTQ+) people access and experience mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Australia.
Rates of mental health and AOD issues are elevated among LGBTQ+ communities; however, LGBTQ+ people also experience significant barriers to accessing support services and programs. Previous research by members of our team has shown that LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations provide crucial mental health and AOD services and programs to LGBTQ+ people. These organisations fill important gaps in the health system and provide culturally safe and focused alternatives to mainstream services.
The PhD studies will be conducted as part of Optimise+, a mixed-methods study into mental health and AOD models of care for LGBTQ+ people in Australia. The specific objectives of the Optimise+ project are to:
- Provide a comprehensive understanding of how LGBTQ+ people access and experience mental health and AOD services and programs in Australia
- Examine the role of LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations in providing mental health and AOD services and programs and how these compare with mainstream services and programs
- Strengthen referral pathways into mental health and AOD services and programs
- Make recommendations for the design and delivery of optimised models of care for LGBTQ+ people seeking mental health and AOD support
We are seeking two PhD students with a background in sociology, psychology, public health, health promotion, policy or systems science or a related field. Experience in qualitative research and an interest in issues related to LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing are highly desirable. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work with a world-leading team of experts in LGBTQ+ health, mental health and AOD use, and key sector-leading industry partners. The successful candidates will be expected to undertake original research as part of their PhD that will complement the Optimise+ project.
Scholarship 1: Mental health and/or AOD service access for LGBTQ+ people
Expected to commence from July 2025. This scholarship will have an emphasis on mental health and/or AOD service access for LGBTQ+ people. Possible areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
- Mental health and/or AOD service access for trans and gender diverse people
- Mental health and/or AOD service access for LGBTQ+ people in rural or regional areas (or specific states and territories)
- Client pathways into mental health and/or AOD services and programs at LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations
Scholarship 2: Peer/lived experience models and community or policy system influence
Expected to commence from January 2026. This scholarship will have an emphasis on peer/lived experience models and community or policy system influence. Possible areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
- The role of peer/lived experience models, leadership and advocacy within the work of LGBTQ+ community-controlled organisations
- The role and influence of LGBTQ+ community-controlled services within health, community and political systems
- Policy framework characteristics that enable or disenable the role and influence of LGBTQ+ community-controlled services within health and community systems
The successful candidates will also be invited to participate in project meetings, workshops, and other activities relevant to the specific focus of their PhD.
Successful scholarship applicants will receive a stipend of $35,000 per annum (2025 full-time rate) for 3.5 years, a tuition fee scholarship for four years and allowances.
The successful applicants will be supervised by one or more researchers from Optimise+, including Professor Adam Bourne, Professor Graham Brown and Dr Shane Worrell from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University and Associate Professor Yael Perry from The Kids Research Institute Australia.
The full list of Optimise+ investigators who may be able to supervise and more information about the project can be found on the Optimise+ project page.
To express interest, please send a CV and cover letter outlining your research interests and experience, as well as how you believe you would contribute to this project, to Dr Shane Worrell at s.worrell@latrobe.edu.au.
The successful candidates will be based at ARCSHS, La Trobe University, Bundoora.
The new medicine of anti-ageing: Understanding the role of anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices in health, gender and ageing.
The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University invites expressions of interest and applications from suitably qualified candidates for a PhD scholarship on the role of anti-ageing cosmetic practices and technologies in contemporary experiences of health, gender and ageing.
The PhD project will complement a broader ARC DECRA project led by Dr Renae Fomiatti which investigates the advertising, experience, and use of anti-ageing cosmetic practices, drugs and technologies in everyday life and in relation to changing intersections of health, beauty, ageing and gender. Anti-ageing cosmetic non-surgical practices refer to a spectrum of products, practices and treatments including injectables, cosmeceutical skincare, laser and other treatments.
The successful applicant will collaborate with Dr Renae Fomiatti to develop a sociological, qualitative thesis project that can contribute to the aims of the larger project while also reflecting the interests and aspirations of the applicant. The other supervisors for this project are Professor Kate Seear and Dr Gemma Nourse.
Potential research questions are broad, and may include:
- How do anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices and technologies shape contemporary experiences of ageing, health, gender and the body?
- How are anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices and technologies mobilised in processes of gender enhancement and transformation?
- How are anti-ageing non-surgical technologies and practices implicated in contemporary biopolitics and biomedical enhancement?
- How are anti-ageing non-surgical technologies and practices intervening in the beauty/health nexus in novel ways?
- What, if any, are the intersections between anti-ageing non-surgical technologies and practices, wellness and feminism?
The potential candidate may also like to focus on a particular subgroup or anti-ageing practice:
- Anti-ageing non-surgical technologies and practices among young people (e.g. ‘preventative Botox’)
- Anti-ageing non-surgical technologies and practices among midlife or older people
- Injectable consumption among cis men
- Injectable consumption among queer or trans people
- Experiences and practices of cosmeceutical skin care
- Anti-ageing peptides and nootropics and online health optimisation markets
The scholarship is based at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society – one of the Australia leading research centres investigating the social dimensions of health, gender, sexuality and consumption.
The Application
The successful applicant will:
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident;
- Hold or expect to obtain First Class Honours or equivalent results and have experience in sociology, gender studies, science and technology studies, anthropology, or a related discipline;
- Conduct qualitative, empirical research (e.g. interviews, observation, media analysis).
Please email a CV and cover letter (including your interest in the project) to Dr Renae Fomiatti. The CV should highlight your skills, education, publications and relevant work experience. If you are successful you will then be invited to submit a formal application, including a writing sample/project proposal.
The successful applicant will be required to also submit a formal application for entry into the PhD program at La Trobe University. Please consult La Trobe University’s guidance on preparing PhD scholarship applications for information about structuring your CV and statement of interest.
For further information or questions about the project or to chat about your project idea, please contact Dr Renae Fomiatti at: r.fomiatti@latrobe.edu.au
Artwork
Untitled by Jordan Wood. Used with permission of the artist.
General scholarships information
Other scholarships may be available at La Trobe. Check out the general information on costs and scholarships at La Trobe.