This project will explore how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, values and principles can shape and lead planning on Country for adaptation to sea-level rise in south-east Australia.

UOW is offering a PhD Scholarship on the theme of Indigenous-led climate adaptation, associated with Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship project FT250100401 titled ‘Unlocking community-wide adaptation to sea-level rise’ (Associate Professor Sonia Graham).

This project will explore how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, values and principles can shape and lead planning on Country for adaptation to sea-level rise in south-east Australia. To date, government-led adaptation planning processes have often overlooked the knowledge and lived perspectives of Indigenous peoples with ties to coastal places that are being impacted by sea-level rise and storm surges. Indeed, the National Adaptation Plan launched in September 2025 acknowledges that ‘Culturally appropriate climate adaptation solutions need to be delivered through First Nations-led partnership’.

This research aims to centre Indigenous Australians’ knowledges, values and ongoing connections to Country at the heart of climate adaptation. This project will be Indigenous-led and grounded in the community’s own protocols. It will involve engaging with local Mob to understand their custodianship of Country and how the knowledge in those relationships can determine adaptation planning. The project will allow time for deep listening with Community to understand their needs with respect to when and how participation occurs.

The project will be supervised by Associate Professor Sonia Graham, Dr Crystal Arnold, Gundungurra, and Associate Professor Jenny Atchison in the School of Social Sciences and ACCESS (Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space). The PhD scholar will be supported through the active research programs of ACCESS.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Society and Business

Study area: Social Sciences & Advocacy

Student type: Domestic students, International students

Student status: Current student, Future Students

Scholarship amount: The successful candidate will receive a stipend of $53,608 (2026 rate) per year which will be indexed annually for the duration of the award. Note: All scholarships are indexed annually.

Duration: 3.5 years