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.
The new medicine of anti-ageing: Understanding the role of cosmeceuticals 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 cosmeceutical drugs 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 cosmeceuticals in everyday life and in relation to changing intersections of health, beauty, ageing and gender regimes. Cosmeceuticals refer to hybrid products at the intersection of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals including Botox, dermal filler, wellbeing and beauty ‘enhancement’ drugs such as peptides and nootropics, as well as skincare with biologically active ingredients that purports to produce anti-ageing effects. Cosmeceutical practices include non-surgical cosmetic procedures along with a broad range of other beauty, anti-ageing, aesthetic and enhancement practices.
The successful applicant will collaborate with Dr Renae Fomiatti to develop a 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 does cosmeceutical consumption shape contemporary experiences of ageing, health, gender and the body?
- How are cosmeceuticals mobilised in processes of gender enhancement and transformation practices?
- How do developments in scientific knowledge impact upon contemporary gender, beauty and anti-ageing technologies and practices?
- How are pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and aesthetic practices implicated in contemporary biopolitics and biomedical enhancement?
- How are cosmeceuticals intervening in the beauty/health nexus in novel ways?
- What, if any, are the intersections between cosmeceuticals, wellness and feminism?
The potential candidate may also like to focus on a particular subgroup or cosmeceutical practice:
- Cosmeceutical consumption among young people (e.g. ‘preventative Botox’)
- Cosmeceutical consumption among ageing people
- Cosmeceutical consumption among cis men
- Cosmeceutical consumption among queer or trans people
- Experiences of Botox and dermal filler
- Experiences and practices of cosmeceutical skin care
- 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).
Experience of qualitative research in a relevant field will be highly regarded.
Expressions of interest should be emailed to Dr Renae Fomiatti at: r.fomiatti@latrobe.edu.au and should include:
- a short description of your project idea
- a recent writing sample
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.