Purpose

The Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney, wishes to offer up to three PhD Scholarships for applicants with outstanding research potential and a demonstrated interest in comparative constitutionalism and studies of law and society. The scholarships are for a doctoral topic as part of the ARC Future Fellowship project of Melissa Crouch on ‘Defending Constitutional Democracy: The Military and the Constitution in Asia’. The topic of the thesis should broadly contribute to studies of comparative constitutional law, law and authoritarianism, and law and society. The topic should connect in some way with the role of law and constitutions in authoritarian or illiberal regimes, including but not limited to the role that actors such as the military play. Topics that offer contextual analysis of constitutionalism and/or adopt a socio-legal approach are encouraged. The topic should focus on either one or more countries within Asia, or countries of comparative relevance to the theme of the project. The scholarship will commence at a mutually agreed date between July 2025 and May 2026 (ie T2 or 3 2025, or T1 or 2 2026).

Deadline

Applications are open until 4 April 2025 or until positions are filled.

Amount

Two scholarships will be funded by UNSW and one by the ARC. 

The UNSW scholarships will be equivalent to the value of a Research Training Program Scholarship ($38,438 p.a.).

The ARC scholarship will be equivalent to the value of a Research Training Program Scholarship ($38,438 p.a.). 

Relocation allowance of up to $2,000 will be available under each scholarship.

Duration

Four (4) years, subject to confirmation of candidature and satisfactory progress. It is anticipated that candidates will commence the program either in Term 2 (May) 2025, Term 3 2025 (September), Term 1 2026 (February) or Term 2 2026 (May).

Eligibility 

Applicants may be Australian citizens, permanent residents or international.

The Scholarship is for study on a full-time basis only, unless there are exceptional personal or medical circumstances that would require study on a part-time basis for all or part of the PhD program. This Scholarship is not open to students already enrolled in a PhD program elsewhere.

Residency requirement 

Applicants must pursue their PhD research in Sydney. International applicants are responsible for securing any necessary visas to enable study based in Sydney.

Some field work overseas may be possible as part of the PhD program, and there may be university and faculty funding schemes that candidates could apply for to support such fieldwork.

Selection criteria

Applicants must possess:

  • strong academic credentials and a demonstrated interest in studies of law and society, and comparative constitutionalism; and
  • an undergraduate degree in Law or a related discipline with a minimum Honours Class II, Division (I) that includes a substantial research component (or equivalent); or
  • a postgraduate qualification in Law or a related discipline (including a substantial research component) with an average that equates to a Distinction average at UNSW (80%); or
  • equivalent research or professional experience, supported by references and a detailed CV.

Previous research experience, including completion of a research thesis and/or publications will be highly valued. Applicants with knowledge of the military and constitutionalism in a country in Asia (particularly Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand), or countries in Latin America or Africa are especially invited to apply.Selection will be based on:

(a) the applicant’s academic qualifications,

(b) their written communication skills

(c) the quality of their research proposal,

(d) their research experience and potential,

(e) the fit between the applicant’s proposal and the focus areas of the Future Fellowship Project,

(f) any language skills relevant to their proposed project

(g) the applicants’ interest in studies of law and society, qualitative research methods and comparative constitutionalism

Details of available scholarship

The ARC Future Fellowship (FT240100384) on ‘Defending Constitutional Democracy: The Military & the Constitution in Asia’ is led by Professor Melissa Crouch. Responding to the United Nations' calls to end military rule, this project aims to investigate the legal challenges that the military poses to constitutional democracy in Asia and beyond. The project expects to develop rigorous qualitative, comparative law and society research to explain how the military rules through constitutions in authoritarian regimes. It will explore how constitutions empower the military, the role of the military as a constitutional actor, and constitutional design strategies to subordinate the military to civilian control.

Successful candidates will be supervised by Professor Melissa Crouch and a second supervisor and focus primarily on their own PhD projects. They will also have the opportunity to participate in any activities held at UNSW under the ARC Future Fellowship. Candidates will be enrolled in the School of Global and Public Law at UNSW Law & Justice.

  • Applicants should attach copies of ALL academic transcripts, relevant publications, a CV, a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and outlining interest in comparative constitutional studies, and a 5-page research proposal.

    Details for two academic or professional referees must be provided (referees will be contacted only if an applicant is being considered for shortlisting).

    Applicants must also complete the Application Form to be considered for the ARC Future Fellowship PhD Scholarship in ‘The Military and Constitutions in Asia’.

    Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview, which will take place either in person (preferable) or by Skype or Zoom Conference. Shortlisted applicants may also be asked to submit short pieces of written scholarly work or research as part of the selection process.

    The application process is separate from applying for admission to UNSW. The successful scholarship applicant will also be required to complete the formal admission process.

  • Please email completed applications to:

    Dr Jenny Jarrett 
    HDR Officer 
    University of New South Wales 
    Faculty of Law & Justice
    E: j.jarrett@unsw.edu.au  

    For further enquiries, please contact:

    Dr Jenny Jarrett 
    HDR Officer 
    University of New South Wales 
    Faculty of Law & Justice
    Tel: +61 2 0424 041 940
    E: j.jarrett@unsw.edu.au

    If you have enquiries relating to the suitability of your research proposal, please contact:

    Melissa Crouch
    Faculty of Law & Justice
    E: melissa.crouch@unsw.edu.au