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Flinders University in Australia invites applications for a PhD Scholarship Opportunity: ARC Discovery: Women, Alcohol and Breast Cancer Prevention in the 2020/21 academic session.
Project details:
The Discipline of Public Health within the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University is offering a PhD scholarship to study women’s knowledge and understandings of alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer and their own perceptions of cancer candidacy. This PhD opportunity is part of a funded Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery project (‘Osiris’) awarded to a Flinders University-led team of Australian and International researchers.
Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for breast cancer. Women in midlife are amongst Australia’s heaviest alcohol consumers. Acceptance of communication about the breast cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption is complex. Uptake and response to risk-based messaging hinges on whether women perceive themselves to be a ‘candidate’ for cancer.
The PhD candidate will explore how women understand the causes of breast cancer and develop their own ‘breast cancer candidacy’, that is – their perceived susceptibility of developing breast cancer. This research will explore how women’s breast cancer candidacy results from their evaluation of scientific evidence weighed up against their own ‘lay’ health experiences, and is relative to the social conditions (gender, age, social class and cultural/environmental drivers) that shape women’s reasons and logic for continuing or modifying alcohol consumption. This research will generate crucial insights for population-level breast cancer prevention efforts.
Numerous possible topics might be explored within the theme of alcohol-related risk and breast cancer candidacy. The PhD candidate will devise an original project in collaboration with the Osiris research team, depending on their disciplinary and research interests.
Worth of Award
- The Scholarship is open to students wishing to commence a PhD in early 2020 and is valued at the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship rate of AUD $28,092 (2020 full-time rate) per annum (tax-free).
- The scholarship will be awarded for a maximum of three years. Additional funding for conference and research support is available from College research support schemes.
Eligibility
- The Scholarship will be suitable for students with an Honours degree or equivalent in public health, social sciences, anthropology, medical/health sciences, psychology, or any other relevant discipline.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should email Professor Paul Ward at [email protected] with ‘PhD Scholarship EOI’ in the subject heading and the following as attachments:
- CV including citizenship or permanent residence status and contact details for 2 professional referees
- Scanned copies of Academic Transcripts
- Statement of previous research experience and any publications.
Applicants must also apply for admission into a PhD at Flinders University.
Deadline: Application closing date is 5 pm AEST Friday, August 14, 2020.