Indigenous Drug Use Harm Trends
Characterising trends in drug use and related harms among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
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.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience disproportionate harms related to alcohol and other drug use, yet patterns are not consistently captured or reported across Australia’s data systems. This PhD will use sentinel surveys, hospitalisations, mortality and alcohol and other drug treatment services data to investigate trends in substance use and related harms. The candidate will examine where findings converge or diverge, and how limitations such as incomplete Indigenous identification, small numbers, changing coverage and reporting delays affect interpretation. Working within Aboriginal governance arrangements, the project will involve Aboriginal researchers, community-controlled organisations, services and people with lived and living experience to interpret findings and identify what existing data miss.
An international placement in Canada will provide training in Indigenous health epidemiology, data governance and knowledge translation. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged.
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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, Amy Peacock - z3511649@ad.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
A/Prof Amy Peacock (UNSW, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), Primary Supervisor)
Professor Michael Doyle (University of Sydney, Bardi Man, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Louisa Degenhardt (UNSW, NDARC, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Karen Urbanoski (University of Victoria, 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 | National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
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.