AI Training to Empower Educators
Empowering Educators: Bridging the AI Divide in Rural and Remote Communities
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.
This project examines equity in access to artificial intelligence (AI) professional development for educators in rural and remote Australia and Canada. It investigates how individual, institutional and systemic factors shape participation, confidence, classroom application and ongoing support for AI use.
A mixed-methods design combines policy and literature analysis with surveys of approximately 300 participants and 30 interviews in each country. The Canadian comparison will identify approaches to shared geographical and educational challenges and assess their relevance to Australia.
Findings will inform actionable recommendations for governments, universities, schools and professional bodies to design accessible, contextually responsive professional development. By identifying ways to strengthen educators’ AI capabilities and address geographical barriers, the project aims to support equitable opportunities for rural and remote teachers and students to benefit from AI-enabled teaching and learning.
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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, Jihyun Lee - jihyun.lee@unsw.edu.au. If she 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 Jihyun Lee (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
A/Professor Hoa Nguyen (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Tanya Kwee (UNSW, 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 Arts, Design & Architecture | Indigenous Studies (Nura Gili Academic Program)
Impact focus area
Pillar 7: Advance economic and social prosperity
Impact focus area
Pillar 9: Strengthen societal resilience, security and cohesion
Learn more
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.