First Nations Energy Literacy Support
Keeping Country Connected: First Nations Energy Marketplace Literacy and Trusted Human-Agent Support
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.
Help shape Australia’s energy future, and unlock your own potential. This Scientia PhD offers the opportunity to tackle a vital challenge: helping remote First Nations households stay connected to essential electricity. You will develop an Energy Marketplace Literacy measure and investigate how education, trust, and cultural safety shape energy security. You will create AI tools across app, SMS, and voice platforms. This project will combine consumer research, field experimentation, and AI, and open doors to exciting careers across academia, policy, and industry.
Supervised by Rahul Govind (UNSW) and Madhu Viswanathan (Loyola Marymount University and University of Illinois), you will collaborate with the globally recognised Marketplace Literacy Project, spanning four continents. A one-term US placement, joint publications, and international seminars will build your expertise and networks; providing an exceptional launchpad for a career with global reach and meaningful impact. Help turn your bold ideas into a more inclusive energy future.
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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, Rahul Govind - z3349217@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
Associate Professor Rahul Govind (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Professor Madhu Viswanathan (UIUC, 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
UNSW Business | School of Marketing
Impact focus area
Pillar 9: Strengthen societal resilience, security and cohesion
Learn more
Primary Supervisor
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.