The University of Canberra is inviting outstanding domestic and international students to apply for three prestigious PhD scholarship opportunities commencing in February 2027. Hosted by the internationally recognized Centre for Deliberative Democracy (CDD) and the Faculty of Business, Government and Law, these scholarships provide generous financial support, access to world-class researchers, and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.

The available scholarships focus on some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including artificial intelligence, democratic participation, organisational creativity, digital politics, innovation, public policy, and technology-driven social transformation.

Successful candidates will become part of a vibrant research community while undertaking original doctoral research under the supervision of leading academics at the University of Canberra.

Why Choose a University of Canberra PhD Scholarship?

The University of Canberra is recognized for its commitment to impactful research and innovation. These scholarships offer candidates the opportunity to conduct independent research while collaborating with internationally respected scholars and contributing to high-impact research projects.

Successful scholars will benefit from:

• Annual stipend of AUD 40,000, indexed each year.
• Scholarship duration of 3.5 years.
• Opportunity to undertake original doctoral research.
• Access to internationally recognized research centres.
• Collaboration with experienced supervisors and leading researchers.
• Participation in seminars, workshops, conferences, and collaborative publications.
• Exposure to interdisciplinary research environments.
• Additional relocation allowance for eligible international scholarship recipients (AI & Democracy and Deliberative Democracy Scholarships).

1. AI & Democracy PhD Scholarship

The AI & Democracy PhD Scholarship offers an exciting opportunity for highly motivated researchers interested in exploring the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and democratic participation.

Hosted by the University of Canberra’s Centre for Deliberative Democracy, the scholarship forms part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA-funded project “Smart Democracy: Fostering Democratic Agency in the Age of AI.”

Scholarship Overview

The successful candidate will undertake an original PhD research project under the supervision of Associate Professor Hans Asenbaum.

The doctoral research will contribute to understanding how artificial intelligence influences democratic participation while maintaining an independent research focus aligned with the broader DECRA project.

The completed PhD may be submitted either as:

• A traditional doctoral monograph, or
• A thesis by publication.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients will receive:

• AUD 40,000 annual stipend.
• Annual indexation.
• Scholarship duration of 3.5 years.
• Relocation allowance for eligible international students.
• Membership in one of the world’s leading research centres on deliberative democracy.
• Opportunities to co-author publications arising from the DECRA project.
• Participation in collaborative research activities, literature reviews, and action research.

Research Areas

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in areas such as:

• Artificial Intelligence and Democracy
• Democratic Participation
• Democratic Innovations
• Social Movements
• Activism
• Deliberative Democracy
• Participatory Democracy
• Radical Democracy
• Critical Theory
• Phenomenology
• Affect Theory
• Feminist Theory
• Queer Theory
• Posthumanism
• New Materialism
• Assemblage Theory
• Qualitative Research
• Quantitative Research
• Mixed Methods Research

Projects may be theoretical, empirical, or interdisciplinary.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, or international applicants eligible to study in Australia on a student visa.
• Hold:
  • A Bachelor’s degree with First Class or Upper Second Class Honours; or
  • A Master’s degree containing a substantial research component; or
  • An equivalent qualification recognized by the University of Canberra.
• Meet the University’s PhD admission requirements.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

1. A PhD research proposal (maximum three pages) outlining:
   • Research topic.
   • Relevance.
   • Research questions.
   • Theoretical framework.
   • Methodology.
   • Connection to the Smart Democracy DECRA project.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. Academic transcripts.
4. Writing sample (maximum 30 pages).
5. Letter of recommendation submitted directly by the referee.
6. Names and contact details of two academic referees.

Important Dates

• Program commencement: February 2027.
• Application deadline: 14 August 2026 (12:00 pm AEST).
• Shortlisted interviews: 1–2 September 2026.
• Notification of successful applicants: 21 September 2026.

2. Organisational Creativity and AI PhD Stipend Scholarship

The Organisational Creativity and AI PhD Stipend Scholarship is offered by the Faculty of Business, Government and Law.

The research project investigates how technology influences creativity, curiosity, and empowerment among consumers and organizations.

Research Focus

The project explores:

• Consumer technology use.
• Organisational technology adoption.
• Creativity.
• Curiosity.
• Empowerment.
• Business innovation.

Candidates will contribute to research examining how emerging technologies affect creative thinking and organizational performance.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful candidates receive:

• AUD 40,000 annual stipend.
• Annual indexation.
• Funding for 3.5 years.
• Commencement in Semester 1, 2027.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Meet University PhD admission requirements.
• Hold a Master of Research or First Class Honours degree in a related discipline.
• Meet English language requirements.
• Not already possess a PhD.
• Be able to commence in the year of offer.
• Enrol full-time.

Application Process

Interested applicants should email the CanBe Lab Director, Dr. Ryan Payne, including:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Undergraduate and postgraduate academic results.
• One-page research proposal containing:
  • Proposed thesis title.
  • Business research problem to be investigated.

Selected applicants will subsequently complete the formal University PhD application process.

Deadline

Initial enquiries must be submitted by 15 August 2026.

3. Deliberative Democracy PhD Scholarship

The Deliberative Democracy PhD Scholarship provides an outstanding opportunity to join the internationally respected Centre for Deliberative Democracy and conduct independent research on democratic participation and democratic innovation.

Candidates will work alongside leading scholars investigating some of today’s most significant democratic challenges.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients receive:

• AUD 40,000 annual stipend.
• Annual indexation.
• International relocation allowance (eligible students).
• Funding for 3.5 years.
• Access to leading democratic research networks.
• Participation in seminars, workshops, and collaborative research.

Research Topics

Applicants may investigate areas including:

• Crisis of Democracy.
• Democratic Resilience.
• Deliberative Reasoning.
• Democratic Innovations.
• Deliberative Systems.
• Environmental Politics.
• Inclusion.
• Identity.
• Gender.
• Feminist Research.
• AI and Digital Politics.
• Nonhuman Participation.

Projects may adopt:

• Qualitative methods.
• Quantitative methods.
• Mixed-methods.
• Participatory research.
• Interdisciplinary approaches.

Supervision

Successful applicants will be matched with an appropriate supervisory team.

Potential supervisors include:

• Associate Professor Hans Asenbaum.
• Professor Selen Ercan.
• Dr Adele Webb.
• Professor Simon Niemeyer.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, or international applicants eligible for an Australian student visa.
• Hold:
  • First Class or Upper Second Class Honours; or
  • Master’s degree with substantial research; or
  • Equivalent qualification accepted by the University.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

1. Three-page PhD proposal demonstrating relevance to deliberative and participatory democracy.
2. CV.
3. Academic transcripts.
4. Writing sample (maximum 30 pages).
5. Letter of recommendation.
6. Contact information for two referees.

Important Dates

• Program commencement: February 2027.
• Application deadline: 10 August 2026 (12:00 pm AEST).
• Interviews: 14–18 September 2026.
• Notification of successful candidates: 21 September 2026.

Why Apply for These Scholarships?

These scholarships provide exceptional opportunities for future researchers to:

• Conduct internationally significant doctoral research.
• Receive competitive financial support.
• Collaborate with leading academics.
• Publish research with internationally recognized scholars.
• Develop advanced research skills.
• Contribute to major interdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Build an academic career in Australia and beyond.

Whether your interests lie in artificial intelligence, democracy, organisational behaviour, digital politics, public policy, or business innovation, these scholarships provide a platform to undertake impactful research that addresses real-world challenges.

Apply Here: submit application via, BGLResearchCentres@canberra.edu.au.

Key Deadlines

Applicants should take note of the following deadlines:

• 10 August 2026 (12:00 pm AEST): Deliberative Democracy PhD Scholarship application deadline.
• 14 August 2026 (12:00 pm AEST): AI & Democracy PhD Scholarship application deadline.
• 15 August 2026: Organisational Creativity and AI PhD Stipend Scholarship initial enquiry deadline.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their research proposals, academic transcripts, writing samples, CVs, and recommendation letters well in advance to ensure a competitive application.

For more information, visit the official website

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