Scholarship details
Study levels
Research and PhD
Student type
Future students and Current students
Study area
Architecture and built environment, Building and planning, Creative industries, Creative practice, communication and design, Design and Education
Eligibility criteria
Academic performance
Application dates
- Applications close
- 26 June 2026
What you'll receive
As the scholarship recipient, you will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of leading researchers, to undertake your own innovative research in and across the field, and to gain an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification.
You'll receive a stipend of $37,010 per annum for a maximum duration of 3.5 years while undertaking a QUT PhD. The duration includes an extension of up to six months if approved for your candidature. This is the full-time, tax exempt rate which will index annually.
You'll also receive a tuition fee offset/sponsorship, covering the cost of your tuition fees for the first four full-time equivalent years of your doctoral studies.
Eligibility
To apply for this scholarship, you must meet the entry requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy QUT research degree, including any English language requirements for international students, and be able to enrol as a full-time, internal student. Your degree should commence in February 2027.
You must also:
- have recently completed a first-class honours degree, a research master degree, or a coursework master degree with a significant research component from a recognised institution and in a cognate discipline
- be able to take up the scholarship and begin full-time study in February 2027
- have a strong interest in undertaking a three-year research project on the design and exploration of experiences of spatial wellbeing in schools.
- develop a research proposal that responds to and aligns with the scholarship topic and articulates the contribution your research will make
- demonstrate excellent capacity and potential for research.
It would be advantageous to have:
- experience with a related industry, for example working with design briefs or education building procurement (e.g. design management) in design briefs, architectural practice, secondary schools
- experience with qualitative research methodologies, including co-design, collaborations with young people, coordinating workshops with diverse stakeholders, and or digital or visual ethnographic approaches.
How to apply
To apply for this scholarship, send the following to Professor Jenna Gillett-Swan via email jenna.gillettswan@qut.edu.au by 26 June 2026:
- a cover letter
- details of your academic and research background, your motivation to research in this field and interest in this scholarship,
- an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV), including recent IELTS or equivalent score for international applicants
- your full academic transcript
- a research proposal addressing the scholarship topic, using the required research proposal template at how to apply for a research degree.
- a writing sample (e.g. copy of an article/essay/thesis you have written).
What happens next
- We will advise you of the outcome of your written application by 6 July 2026.
- If your application is shortlisted, we will invite you to an online meeting with the project team.
- If your application is selected for the scholarship, you will be asked to submit a formal QUT expression of interest by 31 July 2026 (International applicants) or by 31 August 2026 (domestic applicants).
- International applicants will need to have met QUT’s English language eligibility requirements by the time they submit their expression of interest.
About the scholarship
PHD Scholarship: What briefing and design processes are needed to maximise student spatial wellbeing?
We are calling for applications from exceptional students to complete a PhD on the multiple ways that designers and architects consider student wellbeing in everyday school spaces, how these are experienced by different stakeholders and how the design prioritises inclusive, spatial wellbeing.
The scholarship is part of the 'Investigating unconventional spaces for student self-management of wellbeing' project, funded by the Australian Research Council.
The candidate will be supervised by Associate Professor Nick Kelly (design), Dr Kirsty Volz (architecture), and Professor Jenna Gillett-Swan (education).
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in a dynamic environment with members of the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education, and Social Justice’s research centres and groups and work closely with a multidisciplinary academic and industry team.