The National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates for a fully funded PhD scholarship in qualitative research about Australian police custody and young people. The project is a component of Dr Shelley Walker’s Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Research Award (#DE240101056).

The National Drug Research Institute

NDRI is one of the largest centres of alcohol and other drug research expertise in Australia, employing about 30 research staff in Perth and Melbourne across a range of disciplines, including public health, sociology, epidemiology, and psychology. NDRI has a strong national and international profile, and a history of conducting large collaborative research projects with justice-involved populations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

The Police Custody and Young People’s Project

The conditions of Australian police custody and the management and care of people who are held there have received criticism from human rights advocates and academics since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) in 1989. Youth detainees are amongst the most vulnerable populations held in police custody. They are much more likely to experience socio-economic disadvantage, alcohol and/or other drug dependencies and have unmet complex and chronic mental and physical health needs than same aged young people in the general population. For First Nations young people, the likelihood of being held in police custody is even greater. Despite this knowledge, little publicly available information or data exist about the numbers or characteristics of people held in police custody, or their experiences of detention. Using a mixed methods qualitative research design across Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, Dr Walkers DECRA project aims to address these knowledge gaps. The project aims to understand the experiences of police custody detention from the perspective of young people and people who work in, visit or oversee police custody and to examine the frameworks, policies, processes and resources available to guide and support the management and care of young people held in police custody - to inform responses that ensure their health and wellbeing needs are addressed. Located within this broad area of investigation, the specific PhD topic is open for negotiation between the successful candidate and the supervisor team. 

The candidate will gain advanced expertise in qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviews, policy analysis, and/or ethnographic observation, equipping them with the skills to generate impactful, evidence-based recommendations that can make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged populations.

SuperviSupervision will be provided byDr Shelley Walker (National Drug Research Institute, Melbourne) andProfessor Kate Seear(Deakin University, Melbourne), withProfessor Layla Skinns (University of Sheffield, UK) contributing in a supportive external supervisory capacity. 

• Future Students

• Faculty of Health Sciences

• Higher Degree by Research

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

• Merit Based

This scholarship provides a living stipend of $37,500.00 p.a. pro rata indexed, based on full-time studies, for up to a maximum of 3 years

1

Any HDR student wishing to study in the police custody, youth justice, and human rights.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who is interested in understaking a PhD with: 

• A keen interest in exploring issues related to police custody, youth justice, and human rights
• An Honours or Masters Degree in Public Health, Criminology, Law, Psychology or equivalent
• A strong academic record, including a first author peer-reviewed publication
• Demonstrated research aptitude in qualitative  research methodologies including research skills and some experience with the use of qualitative data software such as NVivo. 
   

The candidate: 

• Must meet all Curtin University HDR enrolment requirements.
• Must commit to full-time research for the duration of the scholarship.

Successful recipients must not be in receipt of any other scholarship. 

Future students, please contact us via EOI form please ensure you provide the following information 

• A cover letter including information about your suitability for this scholarship, including how you meet the eligibility criteria.
• A Curriculum Vitae
• Academic records or transcripts

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an interview – in person or online via Teams.

Recipients must complete their milestone 1 within 6 month of enrolment and remain enrolled on a full-time basis for the duration of the PhD scholarship. The preferred start date is July 2025, but this is negotiable.

Please contact Dr Shelley Walker for more details or information. Email: shelley.walker@curtin.edu.au; Phone: 0490421750