A new partnership between the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) and the University of Queensland has resulted in the creation of a new ‘Science and Environment Research Group’ and 3 PhD Scholarships in Environmental Science and 1 in Environmental Law.
Funding is available for 4 PhD scholarships to undertake evidence-based research into environmental issues with the aim of providing improved information and frameworks for prioritizing environmental need, quantifying the costs and benefits of conservation initiatives, developing agricultural policies and appropriate legal frameworks.
Successful applicants will become research fellows at the IPA and PhD students at the University of Queensland. The recipient of the scholarship in environmental law will become, in addition, a Research Scholar of the Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law (CPICL) in the T C Beirne School of Law.
Areas of research
The PhD research topics will be determined by the successful candidate through discussion with their advisor(s) and the IPA. Environmental Science projects will involve students using an evidence-based approach to quantify the costs and benefits to the environmental from government policies in areas such as, but not limited to:
• agricultural practices and chemicals
• genetically modified organisms
• water use, conservation and environmental flow management.
The Environmental Law candidate will survey and evaluate the legal and administrative frameworks for environmental management in Australia to determine their fairness and efficiency for achieving environmental goals. The environmental law research topic will be in these broad areas:
• use of evidence to develop environmental protection policy and law
• the suitability and efficiency of current laws and administrative processes for determining environmental goals, impacts, options, costs and benefits and the development of regulatory models that allow the application of sound science and appropriate economic instruments in meeting the challenges of environmental management.
The Person
First class honours or Masters graduates from a relevant discipline such as but not limited to biological or environmental sciences or law. Potential candidates will want to contribute to the environmental policy debate and pursue a career in research and public policy, communicating science to the public or advising Government and Industry oin environmental issues. The research fellows will be selected based on demonstrated academic achievement and their allied interest in the goals of the Science and Environment Research group. The personal skills and attributes should also include:
• Ability to access, analyse and evaluate data in topical and controversial areas
• Developed oral and written communication skills
• The ability to participate in the public debate on environment issues
• Understanding of evidence based non-partisan assessments.
Remuneration
These are full-time scholarships for a fixed-term of 3 to 3.5 years at $25,000 per annum with a generous allowance for operating and travel.
Contact
For more information about the projects and to obtain a position description contact Dr Jennifer Marohasy from the IPA at jmarohasy@ipa.org.au or look online at www.ipa.org.au.
For general scholarship information contact Marijke Schmidt Research, The University of Queensland, m.schmidt@research.uq.edu.au.
Closing Date for Applications: Monday, 29th January 2007.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
Jennifer: What happened to climate change, bushfire impacts, energy use, resource sustainability and our ongoing relationship with the marine environment?
Jennifer,
As you probably know, those with degrees in Environmental Science are largely reputed to urge dubious science on a credulous public.
This of course opens a huge market of opportunity for a credible program.
Have steps been taken to ensure that this degree is credible enough to justify the investment?
Gavin, the “projects will involve students using an evidence-based approach to quantify the costs and benefits to the environmental from government policies in areas such as, but not limited to…” the three fields mentioned. So, if a prospective student wants to study something else all they have to do is put up a good case and I’d expect they’d be considered.
Looks good Jennifer.
Schiller,
At the end of 3 years participants should have a PhD from one of the best Universities in Australia and had the opportunity to work with some great thinkers from across Australia and internationally.
“As you probably know, those with degrees in Environmental Science are largely reputed to urge dubious science on a credulous public.”
Merry Xmas Schillsy and I hope your crops do well in 2007
– now back to business.
Until you supply quantitative evidence I’m sticking with “those with degrees in Environmental Science are largely reputed to urge dubious science to develop bodgy EIS statements by dodgy consulting firms to get environmentally unfriendly projects approved”
Pledge for 2007 is to use more sweeping generalisations.
Luke,
Interesting challenge. Perhaps you could oblige by offering a set of guidelines on how to determine whether or not a project is “environmentally unfriendly.”
Could you then tell us whether all unfriendly projects should be banned, and all friendly projects approved?
If there is another approach, is it one which does not call upon the environmental scientist to act as an economist or social scientist?
Yes I can Shillsy – I think we invoke the precautionary principle for anything that even looks like it will harm the environment and demand a few million in environmental bonds in case they do a “runner” if they bugger things up. And a complete community consultation process with public debate by the proponents and opponents.
Luke,
Since each and every human activity whatsoever which has ever occurred or been contemplated involves harm to the environment in one way or another, public debate would be a redundant step. That leaves us with bonding everything. Which is pretty much business as usual, given the habits of insurance companies–but lacks the more charming aspects of “public consultation” such as hurling bags of urine or ramming boats into coral reefs.
Can I apply for the above-mentioned PhD programme regarding environmental policy for 2008-2009 term?
Hi Jennifer,
Any advice you can offer me would be very much appreciated.
My name is Joseph, I am 38 years old and now planning to return to Australia after spending the last 15 years in Asia (mostly HK and China) where I worked as a strategy consultant and later ran an advertising company. After spending time in those area, where industry, commerce and development have had a large toll on the environment and people’s health, I’m keen to undertake some studies in the environmental management area with a view to working in this field in the future.
Can you give me some advice on where I can go to find out more information on the most suitable univerity to go to? I’d like to move back to Sydney, but am not sure which univeristy has a reputable program. So, I was hoping that an expert like yourself on the field might have some ideas.
Thanks for your assistance,
Regards,
Joseph Wong
Dear Dr Jennifer Marohasy,
my name is Nihaya Salameh, i have master degree in water and environmental science, and i have a dipoloma in pharmacy (master degree),
i want to continue my education, i need a scholarship for PhD, i hope i can find my opprtinity in your university, advice me what to do, please.
Dear Dr. Jennifer Marohasy,
I have B.Sc in Soil and water management and M.Sc degeree in Agroclimatology I wish to pursue my PhD in relation to environment and /or climate science/. May you advise me how to get a schoolarship please?
Hi Jennifer,
It is nice to read your advertisement. I am Marei Rose Turamwishimiye, from Rwanda (Africa). I have a Masters Degree in environmental law. I want to do a Ph.D in envirnmental law as we are today facing new environmental challenges. So, I wish to contribute to the development of law in order to upgrade it and make it suitable and capable of coping with htese challenges. Please, can you advise me on how I can get a scholarship?
Your collaboration and help is highly appreciated
Dear Jennifer,
Iam Edwin Sabuhoro, from Rwanda, East Africa, i have a Masters Degree in Conservation and Tourism from UK and looking forward to an opportunity to do a Ph.D. Looking forward to hear from you. Regards from Rwanda.