2025 Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology

Job No.:674109

Location: Clayton campus

Employment type: Full-time

Duration:3.5-year fixed term appointment

As a result of the generosity and vision of the late Francine V McNiff, the Social and PoliticalSciences GraduateResearchProgram in the Faculty of Arts will annually offer the Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology at Monash University.

The late Francine V McNiff, was a Monash alumna (LLB 1976), former staff member, barrister, and the first female Magistrate in Victoria. Francine was passionate about the study of law and had deep connections with Monash. Scholarships will be awarded annually to up to two PhD applicants.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be able to demonstrate and present valid and current Australian work rights.

Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and provide a sound argument demonstrating that without the award of the scholarship, economically, it would be difficult or impossible to undertake the degree.

Monash University is the largest university in Australia and regularly ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide. Monash has six globally networked campuses and international alliances in Europe and Asia. The applicant will be based at the Clayton campus in Melbourne.

The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by researchers in Criminology within the School of Social Sciences and researchers in the Faculty of Law, subject to capacity and subject area expertise. The Criminology program at Monash is internationally renowned for theory-informed, data-driven, and evidence-based research that leads to practice and policy change in local, national, and international contexts. They are research leaders in a number of key areas including penology, gender and family violence, technology and crime, policing, and crime prevention. Monash Criminology is distinct in Australia for its consistent success in attracting national and international competitive funding for major research. They are particularly interested in supervising candidates in relation to:

• Policing (practice and policy; policing and race; policing of gendered violence; police-community relations; police use of force; police accountability)
• Punishment, prison and reintegration (prison practice and reform; desistance and reintegration)
• Restorative justice
• Criminal justice policy reform
• Hate crime, prejudice, and social exclusion
• Gender-based violence (experiences, justice responses to harm, and prevention initiatives)
• Cybercrime, technology-facilitated harms, and harnessing technology in response to harm

In addition to the scholarship and top-up, graduate research candidates in the Faculty of Arts also have access to funding for research trips spanning conferences and major events relevant to their own independent research, as well as other research-related expenses.

Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered. Current Monash PhD students in the first year (12 months) of candidature (whether pre or post confirmation) will be considered if eligible.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and have an excellent academic track record in Criminology or Law, or another relevant discipline (e.g., Sociology, Political Science, Gender Studies, Psychology and Human Geography).

Applicants must be experiencing financial disadvantage and preference may be given to refugee or immigrant applicants.

Candidates will be required to meet Monash admission requirements which include English-language proficiency skills. Scholarship holders must be enrolled full time and on campus.

Successful applicants will be expected to enrol by 15 June 2025. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.

Enquiries:Enquiries concerning intended topics for research should be directed in the first instance to Associate Professor Bridget Harris at bridget.harris@monash.edu .

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

EOIs shall comprise:

• A cover letter that includes a brief statement of your suitability for this project, including how you meet the eligibility criteria
• A brief research proposal not exceeding 750 words in length that fits within the broad project aims and objectives, and demonstrates an understanding of the area of research
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations and relevant work experience
• A full statement of academic records, degree certificates and official grading system (if available), supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
• English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
• Names and contact details of 2 academic referees

It is expected that applicants will have been in discussion with Associate Professor Bridget Harris prior to submission of the EOI.

Once you have discussed your EOI, please submit your proposal and supporting documents via this form and select the Special Scholarship Scheme – 2025 Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via Zoom.

Applications Close:Sunday 16 February 2025, 11:55pm AEDT

Monash University recognises that its Australian campuses are located on the unceded lands of the people of the Kulin nations, and pays its respects to their elders, past and present.