PhD top-up scholarship: Systems-based strategies for implementing sustainability in cities

About this scholarship

Supervisor: Dr Ray Maher, Professor Steven Kenway

Associate supervisor: Associate Professor Pedro Fidelman

At least two PhD projects are offered aiming to identify and scale specific initiatives and leverage points that enhance urban sustainability initiatives that deliverhealthy waterways, decarbonisation, and liveabilitybenefits. By using a systems approach to examine globalbest practices, the project will explore and document successful urban sustainability initiatives. It will provide practical, evidence-based guidance that empowers influential actors within urban governance systems to drive impactful, scalable urban sustainability practices.

Project Aims

• Primary Objective: Identify leverage points within urban systems that enable the scaling and implementation of multi-benefit sustainability initiatives, achieving outcomes such as improved ecosystem health, decarbonisation, and enhanced liveability.
• Secondary Objective: Provide insights into the broader governance system, pinpointing areas where influential stakeholders can make impactful interventions that maximise sustainability outcomes across urban systems.

Key Components

• Case Study Identification and analysis: The project will analyse case studies from cities that demonstrate high-impact urban sustainability initiatives, with a preference for locations where the supervisory team or candidate has established connections. Selected case studies will exemplify practices that are translatable to other urban contexts with similar socio-economic and governance characteristics.
• Stakeholder Engagement for Implementation: Through structured interviews, workshops, and site visits, the candidates will work closely with stakeholders across local and state governments, urban planners, water authorities, developers, and community groups. The aim is to understand their roles and influence, informing how each can contribute to effective implementation and scaling of sustainable urban practices.
• Systems Mapping and Methodology: The PhD candidates will explore and select systems methodologies (e.g., causal loop diagrams, influence maps) that effectively identify leverage points and interdependencies. The selected methods will focus on understanding pathways to scale urban sustainability initiatives by analysing where targeted stakeholder action can yield substantial outcomes.

Research environment

How to apply

Before submitting an application you should:

• check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• prepare your documentation
• contact Dr Ray Maher (r.maher@uq.edu.au) to discuss your suitability for this scholarship

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). You don't need to submit a separate scholarship application.

Applications close: Round 1: 17 February 2025; Round 2: 17^th July

When you apply, please ensure that under the scholarships and collaborative study section you:

1. Select ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
2. Select 'I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'.
3. Select ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and type in ‘CITIES-MAHER’ in the 'Name of scholarship' field.

Rules

Read the policy on UQ Research Scholarships.

A domestic part-time student with carer’s responsibilities, a medical condition or a disability, which prevents them from studying full-time may be eligible for scholarship consideration, on a case-by-case basis.