School of Agricultural and Resource Economics

faculty of science

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

school of agricultural and resource economics

Research is an exciting journey of discovery, where you’ll be working at the ever-shifting boundary between the known and the unknown. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a program of independent, supervised research that is assessed solely on the basis of an externally examined thesis. The doctoral thesis must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, demonstrating mastery of the subject as well as an advance in that field of knowledge. The PhD is our flagship research degree and can be taken in many areas of agricultural and resource economics.

Agricultural and Resource Economics is about how people use and protect natural resources. As the world’s population grows, and incomes rise, natural resources are in greater demand than ever before. As a result, efficient use of the earth’s natural resources has become a major global focus.

There are great challenges to using natural resources in sustainable ways that also protect our valuable environment. Globally, many of the issues surrounding best practice

in environmental management and natural resource exploitation have not been resolved. For example, there

are still countless questions about the environmental impacts of agricultural production, the price of pollution, optimal exploitation of minerals or other resources, and the value of protecting ecosystem goods and services.

If you have a strong interest in applied economics, a desire to help society use natural resources in a sustainable

manner, and want to play a future role in how we manage our environment, you are well-suited to the PhD program at our School.

Benefits of a Postgraduate Research degree

We offer many benefits to PhD students:

Ì A postgraduate degree at the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics will teach you a wide range of important skills that prepare you for many different career destinations.

Ì Our graduates have proceeded to successful careers in private

consulting, government departments, and academic/research institutions both in Australia and overseas.

Ì Recent graduates of the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics have won best thesis awards and published their results in highly ranked journals.

Ì The program is primarily research- based but students are encouraged to take intermediate and advanced courses in resource economics to broaden or deepen their knowledge.

Ì The program offers a rich and supportive environment where students participate in seminars and research training sessions, as well as national and international conferences that provide them with excellent opportunities for networking with researchers working in different fields.

Ì We provide up to $5000 in operational costs for those students whose projects do not have external support. General administrative expenses are covered by the School.

Ì PhD research can be undertaken full-time or part-time, and can start at any date.

Thesis topics

We offer PhD thesis supervision in many areas of agricultural and resource economics. For example, you can do

research in agricultural extension, climate change mitigation or adaptation, natural resource management, environmental economics, or agricultural and environmental policy. Our students are working on a wide range of fascinating topics, including research to improve agricultural efficiency in Africa, marine

conservation practices in South- America, water security in Asia, bushfire management in Australia, climate change mitigation actions, mine site rehabilitation, and much more.

The scholarships listed here are only a selection of scholarships available.

We recommend that you search for further scholarships relevant to your area of interest and country of residence.

For information about potential topics and supervisors, we recommend you look at our main research areas on the School’s website: www.are.uwa.edu. au/research.

Entrance requirements

To be accepted into a PhD program you must demonstrate sufficient background and experience in independent supervised research to

successfully complete a PhD. The normal requirement is for a bachelor’s degree with at least upper second class honours in an appropriate discipline. However, applications are also considered

from graduates of The University of Western Australia (or equivalent)

who can demonstrate that they have had adequate research preparation since graduation.

To be eligible for admission into a PhD

Ì Australian Postgraduate Awards and University Postgraduate Awards (APAs) are available for domestic students for up to three years for Doctoral candidates.

Ì International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) are available for suitably qualified international students to undertake a PhD. Application for an IPRS is also an application for admission to the University, and covers International Tuition Fees for up to four years, as well as a full living allowance scholarship.

Ì UWA Scholarships for International Research Fees (SIRFs) are available for suitably qualified international students to undertake a PhD.

Application for a SIRF scholarship is also an application for admission to the University, and covers International Tuition Fees for up to

Graduate Profiles

The period I spent at ARE

was a significant part of my life. The School fostered a congenial research atmosphere. My supervisors and other academics in the School helped me to develop critical thinking about

environmental issues. Throughout my PhD, I have learned many useful skills as well, such as modelling economic systems, completing a large research project, successfully publishing research outputs. All these factors have contributed to my entrance

in the Australian academic job market after completing my study.

program, you must also demonstrate

four years. SIRF awardees may also

satisfactory performance in a UWA- approved test of English.

Career opportunities

PhD graduates are in a good position to move into a wide range of careers. Our graduates progress into academic and research careers, as well as management and consulting roles

for private industry and government in Australia and internationally. Because the PhD is a demonstration of your ability to conceptualise and implement an independent program of research; manage a project; organise resources; work with other people; and communicate effectively in writing at a high level, it is a ticket to many destinations.

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for students wishing to undertake postgraduate study with the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

be awarded a full living allowance scholarship, or should use other funds to cover their cost of living.

Ì Top-up stipends and research operating costs are available for talented domestic and international students wishing to undertake research in specified areas. The current top-up stipends available are listed on our website: www.are.uwa. edu.au/courses/scholarships.

More information

Visit our website: www.are.uwa.edu.au/ courses/phd to find more information about a Doctor of Philosophy degree with the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, or visit UWA’s website: www.studyat.uwa.edu.au/ postgraduate for general information about postgraduate courses at UWA.

Dr Md Sayed Iftekhar

Agricultural Economics PhD graduate

My PhD at ARE provided me with the transferable in-depth analysis skills to easily shift between private and public work.

I initially took a position in a large private consulting firm, shifted across easily to environmental economics in the state public sector, and recently have moved on to risk analysis in a federal government agency. I apply

my research, investigation and evaluation abilities to various projects, and assist my staff and colleagues in developing their understanding of problems.

Dr Bronwyn Crowe

Agricultural Economics PhD graduate

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