Research Funding and Other Opportunities

Funded PhD Opportunities at Adelaide University

Adelaide University has opportunities for a number of funded PhD scholarships in the study of terrorism and extremism:

1. Terrorism, Extremism and Vernacular Security: This project will explore public understandings and experiences of terrorism, extremism, or counterterrorism in Australia. How do particular populations within Australia understand and think about terrorism, extremism or efforts to counter these threats? What are important sources of public knowledge in this area policy? Do demographic or other factors impact public understanding? And how do empirical findings in this area advance vernacular, everyday, and other 'bottom-up' turns within Security Studies? The project may include qualitative, quantitative, or mixed research methods. The specific examples and case studies to be looked at will be agreed in consultation with the supervisor.

1. Cyberthreats and Vernacular Security: Cyberthreats from states, criminal organisations, terrorist groups, and others are consistently identified as a major threat to Australian national security. This PhD will explore public knowledge and understanding of the range and significance of such threats, and the impact of this on everyday life. From where does public understanding derive in this context? Are publics supportive or sceptical of elite cybersecurity assessments, policies, and measures? And how do empirical findings in this area advance vernacular and everyday 'turns' within the field of Security Studies? The project may include qualitative, quantitative, or mixed research methods. The specific examples and case studies to be looked at will be agreed in consultation with the supervisor.

2. Banning them, securing Australia? There are currently 31 terrorist organisations listed under Australia’s Criminal Code. This PhD will explore how listing organisations such as al-Qa’ida or Terrorgram shapes and impacts Australian national security. How, for instance, does listing contribute to, or complicate, the work of intelligence and criminal justice agencies? How does listing affect proscribed groups and their members? How does listing shape Australia’s international commitments and collaborations? What impact does listing have on citizenship, and associated rights and freedoms? How should Australia’s listing regime evolve in relation to different types of threat? And how does Australia’s listing regime connect to, or differ from, international paradigms?

3. Proscription, Listing and Counterterrorism in International Context. Proscription and listing as tools for countering terrorism and other threats have become increasingly widespread throughout the world. This PhD will generate comparative understanding of different approaches to designating, listing and proscribing threats, and the implementation thereof. This will help us to understand variation across political, geographical, legal and other contexts and cases. The project may include qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods of comparison, and the number and nature of cases will be agreed in consultation with the supervisor.