Ageing Prisoners Health Equity Improvements
Ageing in custody: improving equity in health, services and care transitions
Published on the 08 October 2026 by UNSW Scientia PhD Project
This project is part of the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend and a one-off Global Mobility Grant to conduct international engagement activities.
The growing number of older people in prison presents an urgent public health challenge. This mixed-methods PhD will generate evidence to improve care in custody and continuity of support after release. Embedded in the NHMRC-funded APLUS cohort study, the candidate will use longitudinal data to examine trajectories of health, functioning and support needs as people age. They will also design a complementary study addressing an emerging research or policy priority, informed by APLUS findings and stakeholder perspectives, in areas such as prison aged care, end-of-life care or compassionate release.
Working across epidemiology and health services, the research will produce high-quality evidence and identify practical opportunities to improve care and continuity of support. The candidate will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team across UNSW Sydney and the University of California, San Francisco, with exciting opportunities for a global research placement and exchange activities.
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- Residency: Domestic applicants only.
- Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You must meet the minimum requirements below to apply:
- An appropriate Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW: OR
- A completed Master by Research, with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; OR
- a qualification from another tertiary institution at a level considered equivalent by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)
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Eligible applicants must contact the Primary Supervisor, Tony Butler - z2185283@ad.unsw.edu.au. If he agrees to supervise you, you will be invited to submit a formal application to UNSW.
Your email should include:
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- A brief introduction about you and why you are qualified for this project.
- What interests you about this project and the supervisor(s) expertise.
Research project overview
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Scholarship value
$39,991 per annum (2027 rate) stipend for 3.5 years
$25,000 Global Mobility Grant (one-off) -
Supervisory team
Professor Tony Butler (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Dr Jane Ye In Hwang (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Amanuel Hagos (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Associate Professor Adrienne Withall (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Brie Williams (USCF, Co-Supervisor)
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Global research partner
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Candidate residency
Domestic
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Degree program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
UNSW School | Research area
Faculty of Medicine & Health | School of Population Health
Impact focus area
Pillar 8: Enable healthy lives
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Impact focus area
Pillar 9: Strengthen societal resilience, security and cohesion
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Supervisors
Do you have questions?
The UNSW Graduate Research School manages all postgraduate research applications and scholarships. Get in touch with our team to discuss your research interests and the next steps.