PhD Scholarship: Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and Australian governments

The School of Government and International Relations is among the highest-ranked politics schools or departments in Australia. It has received the top ranking of 5, ‘Well above world standard,’ in Political Science/International Relations in the past three Excellence in Research for Australia exercises, dating to 2012. The School consistently ranks among the very top Australian departments for research productivity and external funding, and it ranked first in Queensland in the most recent Shanghai rankings. Our research expertise is leveraged in extensive engagement activities with government and civil society, and in dynamic learning and teaching that has garnered numerous university and external awards

The project is led by Emeritus Professor Ciaran O'Faircheallaigh and Dr Bartholomew Stanford. Ciaran has worked with First Peoples in Australia and internationally for over thirty years, and has written extensively about commercial agreements First Peoples have negotiated with mining, oil and gas companies. Bartholomew is a Torres Strait Islander political science researcher who studies Indigenous-state relations.

This opportunity will be primarily based at Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

We are currently looking for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander PhD candidate to join our Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project on Settlement Agreements between First Peoples and State governments in Victoria and Western Australia. The primary focus of this role is to develop a distinct PhD topic within the Discovery Project parameters that contributes new and innovative knowledge to the field of agreement-making between First Peoples and Australian Governments.

The Project investigates how Settlement Agreements are negotiated and implemented and explores the various social, political and cultural dimensions that shape how they are made and managed.  Success in this role requires engagement with First Peoples groups and governments in Victoria or/and Western Australia, and collaboration with a small research team based at Griffith University and James Cook University.

The selection of the applicant for the award of a Higher Degree Research Scholarship at Griffith University is based on academic merit and research background.

• Expressions of interest are welcome from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent applicants, who identify themselves as such, and are accepted by the community with which they are associated with as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

• a Bachelor degree with second-class honours (Division A) or a Masters degree, incorporating a significant research component, from a recognised institution; or a record of research, or a qualification granted by a professional or other body deemed by the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School, to be of a standard comparable to a Bachelor degree with second-class honours (Division A).  Refer to the Equivalent Qualifications for HDR Program Admission web page.

About the scholarship
The 2026 Griffith University Indigenous Australian Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $55,379 (indexed) for a period of up to four years of full-time study. Please see the GUIAPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

What Griffith offers
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

EoI process
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] or [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the ‘About you’ section
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
• Names and contact details of two referees

Closing date for expressions of interest is: Friday 18 September 2026 5pm AEST

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line

Further information

For project related enquiries please contact:
Emeritus Professor Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh
Phone:  0419-023-741
Email:  [email protected]

Dr Bartholomew Stanford
Phone: 0450-141-374
Email: [email protected]

For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Email: [email protected]