PFAS Governance Participation and Futures
Living with Forever Chemicals: Law, Science and 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.
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals”, have moved from everyday products into drinking water, soils and waste. Their persistence raises questions about human health and environmental protection: who bears responsibility for contamination, who decides what levels are safe, and whose evidence counts?
You will develop paired case studies in Australia and the United States, examining issues such as PFAS contamination of water and organic waste, and its impacts on community health. Through interviews and analysis of laws, standards, inquiries and legal claims, you will investigate how PFAS is regulated, how knowledge gains authority, and when public participation changes decisions.
A six-month placement with Professor Kinchy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will strengthen the comparison, with European perspectives available through an existing collaboration.
Joining an interdisciplinary team at UNSW, you will identify how laws, meaningful public participation, clearer evidence and transparent and accountable regulation can support safer, fairer choices about these persistent chemicals.
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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, Cameron Holley - c.holley@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 Cameron Holley (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Professor Matthew Kearnes (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Professor Abby Kinchy (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 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 Law & Justice | School of Law, Society & Criminology
Impact focus area
Pillar 6: Accelerate the transition to a sustainable society and planet
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Impact focus area
Pillar 7: Advance economic and social prosperity
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Impact focus area
Pillar 8: Enable healthy lives
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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.