PhD Scholarship - Misogyny, Political Violence and Pathways for Prevention
Job No.: 695678
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $37,145AUD per annum 2026 full-time rate (tax-free stipend, indexed) plus an additional CEVAW Top-up scholarship of $10,000AUD per annum (non-indexed), as well as allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures
The Opportunity
This PhD project will investigate the relationship between misogyny as an ideology, social practice and mobilising force, and its role in contemporary forms of political violence and transnational digital repression. Drawing on emerging interdisciplinary research, the project will examine how misogynistic norms and beliefs intersect with violent narratives online and their role in broader socio-political grievances, armed conflict, extremist movements and the foreign policy of hostile states to drive acts of violence against politically-active women, including leaders, politicians, human rights defenders and humanitarian workers.
The successful candidate will explore key questions such as: What are the underlying drivers that connect misogyny to gendered political violence? How do online ecosystems, offline subcultures and digital platform dynamics facilitate the spread and normalisation of misogynistic extremism? In what ways do gendered grievances interact with other ideological frameworks and political movements (e.g. far-right nationalism, authoritarian anti-democratic groups, militarised theocratic regimes) to shape pathways to violence?
The PhD project will collect and analyse qualitative data at scale, including online misogyny and racist narratives, and threats against politically-active women. Adopting a cross-national comparative method, the candidate may, for instance, study narratives and/or policies across two to three countries within the Indo-Pacific region.
The project places strong emphasis on identifying practical strategies for intervention, for instance, by identifying spikes in violence-related discourses in particular contexts to support prevention - including preventative diplomacy, strengthened civil society responses, and democratic resilience. It will contribute to a deeper understanding of how gender-based hostility functions within contemporary national and regional security threat landscapes.
This PhD scholarship will be based within the Faculty of Arts at Monash University, the largest university in Australia which regularly ranks in the top 50 universities worldwide, and housed at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) the world’s first Centre to tackle the full range of forms of violence against women in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.
CEVAW focuses on the structural drivers that cause and compound violence against women, pioneering new, evidence-based approaches to inform trajectory-altering practice and policy. CEVAW's interdisciplinary research is data-driven, Indigenous and survivor centred and co-designed with partners. Headquartered at Monash University, CEVAW brings together world-leading experts across the legal, security, economic, health and political systems of Australia and the Indo-Pacific region., including 14 chief investigators at seven Australian institutions, 15 partner investigators worldwide, 33 partner organisations and over 100 HDR students and postdoctoral fellows. With almost $50M investment from the ARC and contributing organisations, CEVAW is poised to make a significant, global impact.
This project will be based in CEVAW’s ‘The impact of institutions on violence against women’ workstream.
Candidate Requirements
Candidates with backgrounds in political science, international relations, criminology, sociology, gender studies or related fields are encouraged to apply. A strong interest in interdisciplinary research and a commitment to addressing complex social harms and insecurity are essential. Experience in qualitative, quantitative and/or digital ethnography methodologies will be considered favourably.
In its assessment, the selection committee will prioritise applicants who hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honours or Master’s degree (both in a relevant field), with a significant research component and with first-class honours/H1 awarded.
Details of eligibility requirements, including English-language proficiency skills, to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available at arts.monash.edu/graduate-research/application-process/. Applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with these requirements before deciding whether they should apply.
Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus. Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.
The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by 1 March 2027.
Enquiries
To apply for this position, before you submit an application, you must first contact the lead supervisor, Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor Jacqui True on jacqui.true@monash.edu to discuss your interest. Applications submitted without first contacting the lead supervisor may not be considered.
How to Apply
Applications shall comprise:
- A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability
- A brief Research Proposal that fits within the project aims and objectives, and demonstrates some 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 two academic referees
Once you have discussed your proposal with the lead supervisor, please submit your application via My.App:
- Select Admission Only as the Application Type
- Select ‘Yes’ to indicate that you are applying for a scholarship for this research and enter 'PhD Scholarship at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Misogyny, the Manosphere and Digital Cultures of Harm' as the scholarship you are applying for under Research Program.
Application Close: Monday 10 August 2026, 11:55pm AEST
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