The Griffith Institute for Tourism is inviting applications from prospective PhD candidates interested in climate change, tourism, sustainability and community-based development to undertake a fully funded doctoral research opportunity in Australia.
The PhD scholarship will form part of an Australian Research Council-funded research project investigating how Pacific Island tourism destinations can strengthen their resilience to climate change.
The research will examine the interconnected relationships between tourism businesses, host communities and ecological systems to identify practical adaptation strategies that can support climate-resilient development across Pacific Island nations.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to researchers with academic backgrounds in tourism, geography, social sciences, development studies or related disciplines. Strong preference will be given to applicants from the Pacific.
About the Griffith Institute for Tourism PhD Scholarship
The scholarship is hosted by the Griffith Institute for Tourism and will involve full-time doctoral study based in Brisbane, Australia.
The successful candidate will become part of a collaborative research project involving academic researchers, tourism operators, social and environmental non-governmental organisations and an industry body.
Rather than joining a PhD project with a predetermined research topic, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to co-design the precise scope of their doctoral research in consultation with the supervisory team and project partners.
This approach provides an opportunity for the researcher to develop a PhD topic that responds directly to climate resilience challenges affecting Pacific Island tourism destinations while incorporating the perspectives and priorities of communities and local stakeholders.
Research Focus
The broader Australian Research Council-funded project seeks to understand the factors that influence climate risks and adaptive capacity in Pacific tourism destinations.
The research is guided by two overarching questions:
- What ecosystem and socio-economic factors drive climate risks and potential adaptive capacities in Pacific tourist destinations?
- How can the adaptive capacity of businesses, communities and destinations be enhanced through integrated adaptation pathways grounded in cultural values?
The PhD research is expected to contribute to these broader questions while allowing the successful candidate to develop a specialised research focus.
Because the project uses an action research approach, the doctoral candidate will be expected to engage closely with communities and relevant stakeholders. The research will involve frequent travel and community-based work, making interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and an interest in participatory research particularly valuable.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy the relevant PhD eligibility requirements of Griffith University. The opportunity is aimed at candidates with strong academic preparation and an interest in interdisciplinary research.
Applicants should have:
- A completed Master’s degree or Honours Class 1 qualification.
- An undergraduate degree.
- A strong academic background suitable for doctoral-level research.
- The ability to undertake full-time PhD study.
- A willingness to reside in Brisbane, Australia, for the duration of the scholarship.
- An interest in climate resilience, tourism, sustainability, communities or related research areas.
A background in one or more of the following fields is preferred:
- Critical Tourism Studies
- Geography
- Social Sciences
- Development Studies
Experience or training in qualitative and participatory social science research methods is highly desirable.
Strong preference will be given to applicants from Pacific Island countries, reflecting the project’s focus on Pacific communities and destinations.
Scholarship Benefits
The PhD scholarship provides substantial financial support for successful candidates for three years.
The funding package includes:
- AUD $36,000 per year tax-free stipend, approximately, adjusted annually.
- AUD $5,000 one-off relocation allowance to assist with moving to Australia.
- PhD tuition fee waiver, valued at approximately AUD $30,000 per year and adjusted annually.
- Funding support for the PhD for a period of three years.
The scholarship therefore provides both living-cost support and a tuition fee waiver, significantly reducing the financial burden associated with undertaking doctoral study in Australia.
The opportunity also provides valuable research experience through engagement with tourism operators, communities, environmental organisations, social organisations and other industry partners.
Research and Professional Experience
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop expertise at the intersection of climate change adaptation, tourism and sustainable development.
The community-based nature of the project means the PhD researcher will gain experience beyond conventional academic research. The candidate is expected to participate in fieldwork, engage with communities and work alongside project partners to develop practical approaches to climate adaptation.
This could be particularly valuable for researchers seeking careers in academia, international development, climate policy, sustainable tourism, community development, environmental organisations or research institutions.
The interdisciplinary nature of the project also creates opportunities to connect tourism research with broader discussions around climate resilience, ecological sustainability, cultural values and socio-economic development.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) rather than a full PhD application at this initial stage.
The EOI should include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Brief cover letter explaining why the applicant is interested in the PhD scholarship and research opportunity.
Applicants should send their Expression of Interest by email to Professor Christopher Fleming by email.
Candidates who have questions or would like to discuss the research opportunity further can also contact Professor Christopher Fleming using the same email address.
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is:
25 September 2026 at 5:00 PM AEST
Applicants are encouraged to prepare their CV and cover letter carefully and submit their Expression of Interest before the deadline.
Why This PhD Opportunity Matters
Climate change is creating increasingly complex challenges for Pacific Island destinations, where tourism, communities and natural ecosystems are closely interconnected. Strengthening adaptive capacity requires approaches that recognise not only environmental risks but also economic conditions, community priorities and cultural values.
This PhD provides an opportunity for an emerging researcher to contribute directly to this important area of research while working with academic, community, industry and non-government partners.
For Pacific researchers in particular, the scholarship offers an opportunity to contribute knowledge and perspectives to research focused on the climate resilience of Pacific Island tourism destinations.
With a tax-free stipend, tuition fee waiver, relocation support and hands-on community research experience, the opportunity may be particularly attractive to candidates seeking to pursue a career in climate resilience, sustainable tourism, development research or related fields.
Prospective applicants should ensure they meet the university’s doctoral eligibility requirements and submit their Expression of Interest before the 25 September 2026 deadline.
