La Trobe University - Industry Research Scholarship: Mapping Historic Aboriginal Food Production (Dja Dja Wurrung Country)
Background
A doctoral scholarship awarded to an outstanding candidate to undertake research on the ethnographic and archival evidence of Aboriginal food production.
This Industry PhD scholarship, established by La Trobe University in partnership with Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation/Djandak Enterprises and Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance, will be awarded to a qualified applicant with a background in Archaeology,Aboriginal Studies, Anthropology, or History.
Interest in Aboriginal food plants is occurring at the same time as Traditional Owners are reviving cultural fire practices. This project investigates historic links between Victorian Aboriginal women’s use of cultural fire, traditional farming practices and native plant propagation and management.The aim of this PhD project is to collaborate with Dja Dja Wurrung women to collate archival sources including historic maps and aerial photography in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)database as a means of mapping historic cultural burning and farming activities. The candidate will work closely with Dja Dja Wurrung women, Biolinks Alliance and with ecologists in the Centre for Future Landscapes at La Trobe University.The research will inform cultural fire, traditional food growing and biodiversity conservation practises in Victoria.
The PhD candidate will be based in Archaeology and Aboriginal Studies at La Trobe University (Melbourne) and will spend time at Djandak Enterprises (Bendigo).
Benefits of the scholarship include:
- a La Trobe Research Scholarship for three and a half years,with a value of $28,092.00 per annum, to support your living costs (2020 rate)
- a fee-relief scholarship for up to four years to undertake a PhD at La Trobe University
- a $5,000 operating grant across the duration of the project
- opportunities to work with La Trobe’s outstanding researchers, and have access to our suite of professional development programs.
Are you eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:
- a Masters by research degree in a relevant discipline completed within the last ten years assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above;
OR
- an Honours degree, Masters by coursework or ungraded Masters by research degree completed within the last ten years where you achieved a weighted average mark of 70 or above across any coursework subjects;
AND any of the following assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above:
- a research thesis of approximately 15,000-20,000 words; or
- the degree includes a written research component comprising at least 3/8 of one year; or
- you are the lead author of a peer-reviewed publication or other research published within the last ten years
Additional essential criteria:
- Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems
- Experience working with Aboriginal communities
Desirable:
- Victorian Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to apply
How to apply
- Expression of Interest: send your resume, transcripts,certificates and relevant publications (if any) in one PDF file to S.Lawrence@latrobe.edu.au by 17 April 2020.You will be notified of the outcome by email.
- If your expression of interest is successful, you will be invited to an interview with representatives of La Trobe and Djandak Enterprises.
- Selected applicants will be invited to apply for candidature, following the interview. Details on how to apply are available at: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/apply/research/doctor
- Complete and submit your application by 31 May 2020 for admission into La Trobe’s PhD program, indicating your wish to be considered for the Industry PhD Research Scholarship Mapping Historic Aboriginal food production
Selection process:
The successful candidate will be made an offer for candidature and scholarship.
You will be advised of an outcome in June 2020.
It is anticipated that the successful applicant will commence candidature in Semester 2 2020.
Who to contact for further information
Professor Susan Lawrence (Centre for the Study of the Inland), S.Lawrence@latrobe.edu.au