The economics literature has widely studied the impact of economic conditions on the onset of civil conflicts and crime. However, there exists little quantitative evidence about the historical causes of contemporary violence and crime, especially in Australia. As a result, the inter-generational transmission of economic disadvantage and its interaction with crime is not fully understood in Australia and therefore no active policy has been put in place to break the cycle. This is particularly important in the national context as British settlements in the country have rarely been peaceful.

This study will seek to fill this gap from an economic point of view and study in particular:
1. The main historical causes of contemporary violence and crime by interrogating historical data on colonisation and settlements. 
2. Understanding how the inter-generational transmission of economic disadvantage might still have an impact on today’s crime and what policies can be put in place to break the cycle.
3. Study how the legacy of violence influences gendered patterns of household interactions and decision making even after decades of Australian colonisation.

The findings of this project would help us understand the causes of multi-generational violence and how it still affects the day-to-day lives of millions of Australians. This research would be useful to draft public policies that could address the inter-generational transmission of violence and income inequality. 

An Internship opportunity may be available with this project.

• Future Students

• Faculty of Business and Law

• Higher Degree by Research

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

• Merit Based

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships, valued at $28,854 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3.5 years, are determined via a competitive selection process. Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2022. 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

1

All applicable HDR courses

1. The applicant must have completed a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours, Master's degree or be regarded as having an equivalent level of attainment
2. The applicant must have demonstrated strong background and skills in quantitative research. 
3. The applicant should meet the language requirement set for entry to Curtin’s PhD in Economics degree. 

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2023

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Dr Silvia Salazar via the EOI form above.