University of Wollongong Announces PhD Scholarship on Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace – Apply By 29 June 2026 @Based Violence in the Workplace – Apply By 29 June 2026

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has announced a funded PhD scholarship opportunity focused on gender-based violence in the context of work, with particular emphasis on reporting systems, help-seeking behaviour, and access to justice. The interdisciplinary research initiative is designed to address structural inequalities affecting vulnerable workers in New South Wales, Australia.

The scholarship forms part of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Doctoral Training Program and is based within UOW’s Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Research Focus: Gender-Based Violence in Employment Contexts

The proposed doctoral research will examine how gender-based violence manifests within workplace and employment environments, and how affected individuals navigate institutional responses.

The scope of gender-based violence in this context includes:

• Sexual harassment in workplace settings
• Coercive and controlling behaviours linked to employment
• Stalking and persistent intimidation
• Image-based abuse connected to work environments
• Threats, discrimination, and other forms of gendered harm

The university emphasises that these experiences are not evenly distributed across the workforce. Structural disadvantage plays a key role in shaping exposure and access to justice.

Affected Groups and Structural Inequality

The project highlights that gender-based violence disproportionately impacts workers facing systemic disadvantage. These groups include:

• Women in vulnerable employment conditions
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers
• Migrant and refugee workers
• LGBTQ+ workers
• Workers with disability
• Young workers
• Individuals in casual, temporary, or precarious employment

The research aims to explore how intersecting inequalities shape both the occurrence of violence and the ability to report or seek support.

Key Research Objectives and Themes

The PhD project is expected to generate evidence-based insights that can inform policy, legal reform, and service delivery improvements.

Potential research areas include:

• Barriers preventing reporting of workplace gender-based violence
• Experiences of help-seeking across legal, organisational, and community systems
• Effectiveness of integrated legal and social support models
• Policy and institutional reforms to improve accessibility and equity
• Development of trauma-informed and survivor-centred response frameworks

The research is intended to produce practical recommendations that strengthen justice pathways for affected workers.

Supervision and Research Environment

The successful candidate will be supervised by an interdisciplinary academic team comprising:

• Associate Professor Sarah Ailwood (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Rachel Loney-Howes (Secondary Supervisor)
• Dr Laura Vidal (Associate Supervisor)

The candidate will be based in UOW’s HDR research environment, which integrates expertise across:

• Law
• Criminology
• Sociology
• Social work

The project is embedded in a collaborative research ecosystem that connects academic inquiry with policy and practice communities.

Training Program and Collaborative Opportunities

The scholarship is part of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Doctoral Training Program, which provides structured academic and professional development support.

Key opportunities include:

• Engagement with policy and practice stakeholders
• Collaboration with community legal and social service organisations
• Exposure to interdisciplinary research environments
• Development of applied research skills with real-world impact

The programme is designed to strengthen the candidate’s capacity as a sector-engaged researcher working on justice and social equity issues.

Eligibility Criteria and Applicant Profile

The scholarship is open to high-achieving candidates with strong academic backgrounds in relevant disciplines.

Academic Requirements

Applicants should hold:

• An Honours degree (preferably first-class) OR
• A Master’s degree with a substantial research component

Relevant fields include:

• Criminology
• Law
• Sociology
• Social work
• Gender studies
• Public policy
• Related disciplines

Professional and Research Experience

Applications are welcomed from both:

• Recent graduates
• Professionals in legal, justice, or social service sectors

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong academic performance and independent research capability
• Interest in gender-based violence, justice systems, or workplace studies
• Experience with qualitative, participatory, feminist, or trauma-informed methodologies (advantageous)
• Ability to collaborate with industry and community stakeholders
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Scholarship Conditions and Funding

The successful applicant will receive a stipend of AUD 36,943 per annum, indexed annually.

Additional conditions include:

• The ability to undertake limited paid employment, provided it does not affect PhD progress
• Full-time commencement by 31 August 2026

Application Requirements and Submission Process

Applicants must submit a complete application package including:

• A 3–4 page research proposal aligned with the project theme
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Academic transcripts
• One-page cover letter outlining motivation, research interests, and suitability
• Contact details for referees (including at least one academic referee)

Applicants are encouraged to tailor proposals to specific populations, settings, or response models within the broader theme of workplace gender-based violence.

Applications should be submitted via email to:
Associate Professor Sarah Ailwood – sailwood@uow.edu.au

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with the supervisory team.

Deadline and Final Notes

The application deadline is Monday 29 June 2026. Early submission is encouraged to allow sufficient time for review and interview scheduling.

The University of Wollongong emphasises that the scholarship is designed to support research with direct policy relevance, aiming to improve reporting systems, strengthen legal protections, and enhance support structures for workers experiencing gender-based violence.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.