Measuring business event tourism

The Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) are seeking to recruit a suitable PhD candidate for three years to conduct a research project developed as part of our exciting ongoing collaboration.  The primary focus of this role is to produce evidence-based research to further enhance Austrade’s knowledge and understanding of the visitor economy in terms of the business events sector. This will assist with identifying opportunities and challenges associated with implementing the actions set out in THRIVE 2030 – a national strategy for Australia’s visitor economy recovery and return to sustainable growth, 2022-2030. The research will inform the development of associated programs and policies. To be successful in this role, the applicant is expected to carry out a PhD project under the academic supervisory team from GIFT whilst maintaining ongoing collaboration with Austrade.

We are interested in working with the successful applicant on a research project aligned with building a more resilient and sustainable visitor economy. The research may focus on one or more aspects of the following:

  • Develops or extends measures in evaluating the scale or economic contribution of the business events sector in Australia;
  • Explores measures from the operational or supply side of the sector in evaluating the scale or economic contribution
  • Research that enables the use of alternative data sources (e.g., big data, social media data, mobile phone data, credit card data) in evaluating the scale of the business events sector
  • Research that explores the impact of hybrid or virtual meetings on the development of the business events sector
  • Innovative approaches or models in promoting the business events sector
  • Research that explores the competitiveness of venues catering to the business events sector

Scholarship details

Griffith University is Australia’s leading tourism university and is ranked No.1 in Australia and No.4 in the world in the most recent Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. It is one of only two universities in Australia to receive an ERA 5 by the Australia Research Council, indicating tourism research at Griffith University is well above world standards.

The Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) is Australia’s largest tourism research institute with over 60 academic members and over 60 PhD candidates from tourism and tourism-related disciplines, such as technology, economics, architecture, planning and environmental sciences. This industry-collaborative PhD project shall be undertaken through a collaboration between Griffith University and its industry partner, Austrade. The successful applicant will be based at the Gold Coast Campus.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. Applicants should have a background in conducting tourism studies. Moreover, you need to be able to work effectively with industry partners to solve real-world problems.

  • Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
  • Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to second class (division A) or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure.  For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

Please note:

Candidates may also undertake an unpaid work-integrated-learning placement with Austrade, primarily at their Brisbane offices,  for 60 days over the three year period.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

  1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
  2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
  3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

This Stipend Scholarship provides a living allowance of AU$35,000 per annum from the industry partner plus a $15,000 per annum top-up stipend from Griffith University for three years. This is paid as a fortnightly stipend. Relocation, sick leave and parental leave provisions also apply. The scholar amount is tax-exempt.

Project funding to undertake the research, conference travel and incidentals are also provided. Project funding and in-kind support will come from both university and industry resources. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

For project related enquiries please contact:

Associate Professor Xin (Cathy) Jin


Phone: (07) 555 27413


Email: x.jin@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au

Please do not select the “APPLY” button.  All expressions of interest must be submitted to GIFT at gift@griffith.edu.au containing:

  • A research proposal (max 5 pages including references) that includes a project title, project summary (100 words), research focus and the rationale (brief review of relevant research in the field), intended methodology and project feasibility, and the significance of the study.
  • Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section, including a  copy of your academic transcript
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
  • Name of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is:  5pm AEST Wednesday 30 October 2024

Submitted documents will be reviewed by the selection panel, which includes academic supervisors as well as the industry supervisor(s) from the partnered company. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by the selection panel. The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply on-line.