Despite 20% of Australians living with disability, digital spaces often fail to meet their diverse needs. As the pandemic made digital access essential for education, healthcare, and social connection, inequalities were magnified. This PhD project, partnering with the Inclusive Design Collective on the ARC funded mid-career industry fellowship (IM240100147), investigates how people with disability navigated digital platforms during COVID-19.

The research will develop evidence-based protocols and guidelines for government, industry, and community groups creating digital platforms. Working directly with people with disability, you'll build a roadmap ensuring Australian digital industries understand inclusive design pathways, aligning with the Australian Disability Strategy 2021-2031 and UN Convention commitments.

Research proposals welcomed on accessibility, digital communication, mis/disinformation, online communities, and digital activism.

• Current Students
• Future Students

• Faculty of Humanities

• 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 broad Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, especially media and communications.

• Essential: full-time enrolment
• Essential: the successful recipients must also not be in receipt of any other scholarship.
• Essential: English language IELTS level of 7 and above 
• Essential: Successful completion of an Honours or Masters programme with a research component (or equivalent) First class or upper second-class honours, and/or Masters degree by research in a field relevant to the project (for example, but not limited to, Communications, Cultural Studies, Digital and Social Media, Social Sciences, Arts, Humanities).
• Essential: interest in disability from a social or human rights perspective
• Desirable: Lived experience of disability
• Desirable: experience in qualitative research methods
• Desirable: interest in pursuing pathways between industry and academic research

To express your interest, please submit an EOI form address to Prof Katie Ellis (katie.ellis@curtin.edu.au) in advance of the closing date (15 May 2025) with the following information/ documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Academic transcripts
3. A brief covering letter (no more than 2 sides A4) that addresses the eligibility criteria. The letter should explain why you are interested in the project and how your skills, attributes and experience make you a good candidate for this scholarship.
4. Applicants are encouraged to provide a sample of academic writing (e.g., excerpt of Honours or Masters thesis or a published article).

Recipients must complete their milestone 1 within 6 month of enrolment and remain enrolled on a full time basis for the duration of the scholarship

Professor Katie Ellis via email katie.ellis@curtin.edu.au