Let’s talk about air: Communicating air quality in a climate change future
About the research project
We need to talk about air. Every human takes around 20,000 breaths per day and each breath intimately connects every person to the environment around them. Even in Australia, with comparatively clean air by global standards, poor air quality has widespread impacts on health and millions of Australians are at higher risk of short and long-term health effects. These Australians include children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with diabetes, heart, lung and other chronic conditions. As the Black Summer bushfires showed many of us, climate change is increasing many of the risks associated with poor air quality.
What do people know about air quality and its effects on their health? How anxious are people about air quality and what are they worried about? How can we best communicate the causes of poor air quality and what people can do to reduce the physical and mental health impacts of the air they breathe? This transdisciplinary project will address these questions using focus groups and quantitative surveys, as well as investigating messaging through mixed-method communication analysis, and may include participatory research with affected communities. You will have the opportunity to work closely with multiple stakeholders and develop skills in co-design.
The project directly aligns with and supports several research translation programs associated with the Environmental Health team, including translation activities of the NHMRC Centre for Safe Air (led by Prof Fay Johnston); applied policy projects under both the National Environmental Science Program and the Tasmanian Public Health Research and Action Coalition; and the Environmental Health team’s development of a public-facing MOOC to support people to navigate the intersection of the air and their health.
Primary Supervisor
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our
Scholarships and fees on research degrees page
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Research and/or industry experience in public health, health literacy, media and communication and/or science communication
- Experience working with consumers and/or government stakeholders
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Penelope Jones to discuss your suitability and the project’s requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 25 September 2023.
Full details of the application process can be found under the ‘How to apply‘ section of the Research Degrees website.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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