Mr Keiran McNamara AO was a dedicated and energetic advocate for conservation who achieved a remarkable legacy of biodiversity conservation, park management and environmental protection in Western Australia. He had a distinguished career in public service and was Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, and its predecessor the Department of Conservation and Land Management, from 2001 to 2013. A highlight of his career was the listing of World Heritage areas at Shark Bay, Ningaloo Coast and Purnululu. 

The McNamara family has established the Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship in honour of Mr McNamara. The Scholarship will assist eligible commencing PhD students to undertake research at one of the five Western Australian universities, and aims to advance knowledge and expertise relevant to the conservation and management of the natural values of World Heritage areas in Western Australia.

World Heritage Area's within Western Australia are available via: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/parks-and-wildlife-service/world-heritage-areas  including Murujuga which is currently under nomination.  Applicants undertaking in terrestrial research are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Future Students

• Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Faculty of Business and Law
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses
  • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)

• Higher Degree by Research

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

• Merit Based

The Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Scholarship is offered as a supplementary scholarship to be held with an RTP Stipend or other equivalent award, and provides $25,000 per annum, comprising: 

• A top-up stipend of $10,000 per annum; and
• An allowance of $15,000 per annum for research expenses, including research related travel.

NA

To be eligible to receive the Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship in 2025, an applicant must: 

• Have applied for PhD admission and 2025 RTP scholarship at Curtin University;
• Be eligible to enrol full-time at Curtin university,
• Have a bachelor’s degree of First Class Honours standard or equivalent; and
• Intend to undertake research relating to identifying, managing and the conservation of World Heritage areas in Western Australia.

Please submit an Expression of Interest to HDRSCH-applications@curtin.edu.au, with the following information (must be submitted as one pdf document)

 Provide a 2 page research proposal summary including: 

• background to the topic
• aims of the research
• significance of the research and for World Heritage Areas
• methodology
• brief reference list

As well as other support materials: 

• details of supervisors
• CV detailing, education history, tertiary qualifications, work experience and awards
• academic records/transcripts
• 2 referee reports or letters of support; and
• any published research papers

Applicants must hold a Curtin University PhD admission and 2025 scholarship offer, to undertake research relating to identifying, managing and the conservation of World Heritage areas in Western Australia.

N/A

For further information please contact:

Email: HDRSCH-applications@curtin.edu.au 

Phone: +61 8 9266 3337 - Option 3

For information about World Heritage Area within Western Australia visit: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/parks-and-wildlife-service/world-heritage-areas  including Murujuga which is currently under nomination.

We especially encourage any terrestrial research as to date all scholarships have gone to marine projects.