Griffith University PhD Scholarship in Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian Governments 2027

Griffith University is currently looking for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander PhD candidate to join our Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project on Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and State governments in Victoria and Western Australia. The primary focus of this role is to develop a distinct PhD topic within the Discovery Project parameters that contributes new and innovative knowledge to the field of agreement-making between First Peoples and Australian Governments.

The Project investigates how Settlement Agreements are negotiated and implemented and explores the various social, political and cultural dimensions that shape how they are made and managed.  Success in this role requires engagement with First Peoples groups and governments in Victoria or/and Western Australia, and collaboration with a small research team based at Griffith University and James Cook University. This position is primarily based at Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan) campus.  The successful applicant may apply to undertake the program predominately away from the University if required.  Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

The project is led by Emeritus Professor Ciaran O'Faircheallaigh and Dr Bartholomew Stanford. Ciaran has worked with First Peoples in Australia and internationally for over thirty years, and has written extensively about commercial agreements First Peoples have negotiated with mining, oil and gas companies. Bartholomew is a Torres Strait Islander political science researcher who studies Indigenous-state relations.

• Table of Content
• About Griffith University
• Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian governments PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian governments PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian governments PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian governments PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian governments PhD Scholarship

• The 2026 Griffith University Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $55,379 (indexed) for a period of up to four years of full-time study.

Requirements for Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian governments PhD Scholarship Qualification

The selection of the applicant for the award of a Higher Degree Research Scholarship at Griffith University is based on academic merit and research background.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent applicants , who identify themselves as such, and are accepted by the community with which they are associated with as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• A Bachelor degree with second-class honours (Division A) or a Masters degree, incorporating a significant research component, from a recognised institution; or a record of research, or a qualification granted by a professional or other body deemed by the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School, to be of a standard comparable to a Bachelor degree with second-class honours (Division A).

Application Deadline

How to Apply

All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] or [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the ‘About you’ section
• A curriculum vitae (CV)  using the Griffith CV template.
• Names and contact details of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday the 18th of September 2026

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

Contact(s)

For project related enquiries please contact:

• Emeritus Professor Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh
  • Phone:  0419-023-741
  • Email:  [email protected]
• Dr Bartholomew Stanford
  • Phone: 0450-141-374
  • Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:

• Griffith Graduate Research School
  • Email: [email protected]

For more information, kindly visit Griffith University scholarship webpage.