PhD Scholarship: Enhancing social capital in community by examining dynamics of voluntarism: implications for practice and policy in Australia

Federation University is pleased to partner with Sikh Volunteers Australia Inc. to offer a PhD scholarship in the business discipline.

Scholarship details

Stipend: $35,000 tax free per annum for three years (paid fortnightly)
Project support: $9,000
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship / Tuition Fee Scholarship: $24,780 per annum
Funding length: 3 years (only, no extensions permitted)
Location: Mt Helen/Ararat
Internship: TBA

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake a PhD. Verify you can meet eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website. If you are applying for ‘Honours equivalence,’ please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.

Candidates must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in social sciences, business, or a related discipline. Equivalent experience working in a relevant industry can also be considered.

Applications will be accepted from Australian residents and permanent residents.

Applicants should contact Prof Harpinder Sandhu prior to submitting an application.

Application closing date: Open until filled

How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application

Commencement date: TBA

Research project details

Project title: Enhancing social capital in community by examining dynamics of voluntarism: implications for practice and policy in Australia

Well-established scientific literature shows that volunteer organisations are embedded and entrenched in the community. For example, the country women’s association, volunteers for the country fire authority (CFA), soup kitchens and many more are grassroots volunteer organisations run by local volunteers who are part of these communities. Similarly, there are immigrant volunteer groups who help other immigrants in a newly settled country. In these cases, local people often reach out to new immigrants through voluntarism efforts, if required.

However, there are few examples in the literature of immigrant communities starting volunteer organisations to help the wider community in their new country of choice. Such a phenomenon, its dynamics, structure, etc., are less studied in the literature.

This PhD study aims to examine this novel phenomenon: a voluntary group formed mainly of new immigrants to Australia, known as the Sikh Volunteers Australia, is helping the wider community in Victoria and other parts of the country in times of disaster and need.

The project will examine this phenomenon and contribute to the social capital theory. It will help improve the practice and contribute to the national and local policy to integrate migrants into diverse and multicultural aspects of Australia.

Industry Partner and Student Host: Sikh Volunteers Australia is a nonprofit volunteer organisation focusing on reducing distress in the community by providing free food and help during disasters to disadvantaged families. SVA is based and informed by the Sikh philosophy and promotes secularism and social equality in the community. The project will likely address the gaps or barriers between immigrants and the local community.

Supervisors:

Principal Supervisor: Prof Harpinder Sandhu

Associate and Co-Supervisors: Dr Jasvinder Sidhu

How to apply

Some industry scholarships have expression of interest forms that must be submitted along with your candidature application. Please ensure you read the scholarship information carefully and complete all steps.

Directions on how to apply are available at Apply - Higher Degrees by Research. Please include the name of the scholarship for which you are applying on the Admission Form. All applicants should check their eligibility prior to applying.

Applications should include all relevant supporting documentation and Federation University must receive completed referee report forms by the scholarship closing date. As part of their application, prospective Higher Degree by Research applicants are also required to provide:

• Transcripts of all tertiary level academic study
• Australian citizens must provide a copy of their birth certificate or passport
• Permanent Residents must provide a copy of their visa and passport
• List of published work with URL links and/or copy of each publication
• Copy of honours or masters thesis abstract
• Evidence for Australian honours equivalency, if applicable.
• Any awards or accolades
• Any other evidence of research performance

Federation University partners with local industry to provide research opportunities and regional innovation. If your company or organisation has a project suitable for research and wish to sponsor a higher degrees by research candidate then contact us at [email protected].