This call invites prospective PhD applicants to develop and propose an original research project aligned with the discipline’s research strengths and supervision expertise.

We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with strong academic preparation and a clear interest in contributing to the discipline’s areas of research focus. Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to undertake independent research and develop a well-conceived PhD project.

IMPORTANT: Do not use the “Submit an Expression of Interest” button on this page. To be considered, you must submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) using the School EOI form (click here to access the form).

The academic staff listed below represent the areas of supervision available in Asia Studies within the Asia Institute. Applicants should review the academic expertise and consider how their proposed project aligns with the research interests of potential supervisors.

The composition of the supervisory panel will be based on staff’s availability and expertise and may draw on expertise from other programs and schools in the Faculty of Arts.

Prof Andrew Rosser (Principal and Co-supervisor)

Andrew Rosser carries out research on issues to do with the political economy of development in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia. These issues include human (especially social) rights, migration, diaspora engagement, the resource curse, state-building, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and aid effectiveness.

Research Areas: Southeast Asia, political economy, development

Prof Vedi Hadiz (Principal and Co-supervisor)

Vedi Hadiz is Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne, where he is also a Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor. His research interests revolve around political sociology and political economy issues, especially those related to the contradictions of development in Indonesia and Southeast Asia more broadly, and more recently, in the Middle East.

Research Areas: Southeast Asia, political economy, political sociology, Islamic politics

A/Prof Nadeem Malik (Principal and Co-supervisor)

Nadeem is an established scholar in Asian development and political anthropology, with his work recognised internationally for its intellectual depth, empirical rigour, and interdisciplinary scope. His key areas of specialisation include Asian development, governance, civil society and the state, decentralisation or local governance, globalisation, gender and development, project and program management, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, anthropology of development, political anthropology, art, theatre and Indian music.

Research Areas: Southeast Asia, development, political anthropology, civil society, social movements

Dr Charlotte Setijadi (Co-supervisor)

Dr Charlotte Setijadi is an anthropologist specialising in Chinese Indonesian identity politics, Indonesian political culture, and Indonesian diaspora politics. Her research focuses on transnational migration, collective memory, and ethnic identity in Southeast Asia, with particular expertise on Indonesia.

Research Areas: Indonesia, Chinese Indonesians, Indonesian diaspora politics, collective memory, skilled migration

Dr David Lozada (Co-supervisor)

Dr David Lozada is a political scientist specialising in Philippine politics and society, human rights mobilisations, and human rights institutions. His research focuses on how rights coalitions resist state-led abuses with particular expertise in the Philippines. He also has research experience on human rights and development issues in Southeast Asia more broadly.

Research Areas: Philippines, human rights, politics of human rights mobilisations, human rights institution, rights coalitions, development in Southeast Asia

HOW TO APPLY

Before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Applicants should review the research areas and supervision expertise listed above and consider how their proposed research project aligns with the discipline’s areas of expertise. You do not need to contact a potential supervisor before submitting an EOI.

You should also ensure you meet the entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) [click here to view the Handbook]. Competitive applicants typically demonstrate excellent academic achievement in a relevant master’s degree, honours degree (or equivalent), usually placeing in the upper range of the grading scale at their institution, together with strong performance in a substantial independent research project (e.g. thesis).

IMPORTANT – How to submit your EOI

To be considered you must submit your expression of interest using the School EOI form:

→ Submit your Expression of Interest (School EOI form) - click here to access the form

Do not use the page “Submit Expression of Interest” button. Applications submitted via the page button will not be considered.

Deadlines

EOI must be submitted by

30 June - International applicants
30 August - Domestic applicants

To complete the School EOI form [click here to open], you will be asked to provide:

a research proposal
a curriculum vitae (CV) - use this template [click here to open]
academic transcripts for all tertiary study
evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
the names of two potential supervisors aligned with your project

What happens next
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview with potential supervisors within approximately two weeks of the closing date.

Applicants who receive supervisor support may be invited to submit a formal application to the Doctor of Philosophy – Arts (DR-PHILART).

Submission of an EOI does not guarantee admission or scholarship selection.

Further information about the application process is available here: https://arts.unimelb.edu.au/study/graduate-research [click here to open]

Dr

David Lozada

Lecturer - Education Focussed

Asia Institute

Dr

David Lozada

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Faculty of Arts

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Politics of Human Rights

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David Lozada

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