Advancing social marketing processes and practices: Preventing Indigenous youth sexual violence and abuse
This project is dedicated to addressing the urgent issue of youth sexual violence in the Toowoomba community through innovative, culturally grounded solutions. By collaborating closely with local Indigenous elders and community members, we aim to co-design impactful interventions using the co-creation (CBETM) framework. The goal is to develop, evaluate, and test solutions such as a bystander training initiative, a Safe and Respectful Relationship website and app, and a campaign tailored specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. This project not only seeks to create positive behavioural change but also fosters a deeper understanding of community engagement and program evaluation.
You will identify and test a solution that can be applied in Toowoomba to reduce or eliminate the amount of Youth Sexual Violence in the Toowoomba Community. Your solution will be co-designed with elders from the Jagera, Giabal, and Jarowair people and local community members. The co-creation (CBETM) framework pioneered by Professor Rundle-Thiele will be applied in this project. The Toowoomba project will implement a mixed-method research design (design thinking, co-design, reviews, surveys, expert interviews, and stakeholder workshops). The research will uncover a behavioural change, a new bystander program, and a solution for testing.
Your project aims to identify one or more solutions for rapid testing. Your solution will be evaluated and, if successful, iterated and scaled up during your three-year PhD project period.
The student will be supervised by Dr Jessica Harris and Prof Sharyn Rundle-Thiele (GU), and also work with Prof Patrick O’Leary. The project team also includes a second PhD based at GU and a project manager to ensure the project succeeds. The Indigenous Discovery Project team will deliver integrated research outcomes, including but not limited to:
- Develop and evaluate an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bystander training initiative to educate the local community gatekeepers and natural support networks,
- Develop and evaluate a Young People’s Safe and Respectful Relationship Website and App,
- Develop and evaluate a campaign for all young people with specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander messaging that promotes safe and respectful relationships.
Scholarship details
At Social Marketing @ Griffith, we lead the way in delivering transformative change. For over a decade, we’ve challenged the status quo. We’ve developed, delivered, and evaluated behaviour change programs. We’ve helped our partners to build capacity and capability, sharing all that we know works. Our behaviour change programs have:
- Reduced koala deaths from dog attacks by 40% and decreased car strikes by 83%.
- Stopped over 345,000L of leaves from entering ACT waterways.
- Changed the way adolescents think about alcohol, drugs and vaping.
- Retained 2% more females in STEM programs at university.
- Established a soft-plastic recycling system in Indonesia.
- And much, much more.
Our mission is clear: we are committed to making the world a better place. We ensure that people and our planet always come first. As we continue to deliver improved health and wellbeing, environment, and social outcomes both in Australia and internationally, we look forward to partnering with you to work together to shape a better future for all.
- You will be based at Griffith University (Nathan 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. To succeed in this role, you will be able to work within a larger team. You will gain skills relevant to behavioural change, community and stakeholder engagement and process, and outcome and impact evaluation. This PhD project will help you establish a track record relevant to youth sexual violence and behavioural change and develop and implement programs and program evaluation. It also provides an excellent opportunity to work in one regional Australian community.
- Expressions of interest are welcome from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent applicants, who identify themselves as such, and are accepted by the community with which they are associated with as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
- Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to second class (division A) honours 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.
This scholarship has an annual stipend of $53,976 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS 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:
Dr Jessica Harris
Email: jessica.a.harris@griffith.edu.au
Prof Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Email: s.rundle-thiele@griffith.edu.au
For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to jessica.a.harris@griffith.edu.au containing:
- Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
- Research proposal
- 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.
- Names of two referees
The closing date for expressions of interest is: 28 February 2025
The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line
Get in touch
If you have a question, need some help with your scholarship application, or would like to make a donation, feel free to contact us.