Global Kelp Forest Conservation Governance
Governing the World’s Kelp Forests: From Policy Commitments to Conservation Action
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.
Kelp forests support biodiversity, fisheries, coastal economies, and culturally important relationships with the ocean, yet there is limited understanding of how governments recognise, manage, and act for these ecosystems.
This PhD will examine how kelp forests are governed from local to global scales, and how policy commitments translate into conservation and restoration action. It will assess legislation, regulation, institutional arrangements, financing, monitoring, and implementation across selected jurisdictions, while also identifying the conditions that enable effective delivery.
Working closely with the Kelp Forest Alliance, its regional and local working groups, and partners including IUCN, the candidate will engage directly with policymakers, practitioners, conservation organisations, and communities.
The project is designed not only to identify governance gaps, but to co-develop practical pathways that strengthen kelp forest protection, management, restoration, and investment, and help catalyse real-world conservation action.
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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, Aaron Eger - z5189960@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
Dr Aaron Eger (UNSW Sydney, Primary Supervisor)
Dr Christopher Cvitanovic (UNSW Canberra, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Adriana Vergés (UNSW Sydney, 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 Science | School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Impact focus area
Pillar 6: Accelerate the transition to a sustainable society and planet
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.