The Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR) Summer Research Scholarship (ACPIR SRS) program provides an opportunity for undergraduate, including honours, students to be part of an experienced research team and participate in a research project.

The ACPIR SRS program will provide undergraduates with increased exposure to research as a career pathway and enhance their employability. Students in the program will have an opportunity to learn about the research process, be involved in a project, network with other researchers, postgraduate peers and professionals, and start to develop their research track record.  Research skills are transferable, making this experience useful, even for those who may not decide to pursue research as a career option.

Depending on the ACPIR SRS project, students will undertake research activities, such as literature reviews, develop data collection tools, collect and/or analyse data, present findings and/or undertake consultation with stakeholders. Undergraduate students will be mentored by an academic supervisor from ACPIR and also a postgraduate peer throughout the ACPIR SRS program to help develop research skills, personal skills (for example, time management, communication skills), and career planning. They will be immersed in a mentoring culture and be encouraged to work with the project team in contributing to a publication/other output as a named author (for example: conference abstract, report, research publication, policy brief).

For the Summer period 2024-2025, ACPIR offers four research scholarships – to join the following projects:

1. The role of aquatic foods in school food environments across Pacific small island developing states with ACPIR supervisor Dr Sarah Burkhart.
2. Reducing food waste by exploring value-added innovations: Nature-based Solutions, green tech and circular practices in Food and Agribusiness with ACPIR supervisor Dr Saskia de Klerk.
3. The MaMi Project: Investigating Ni-Vanuatu women’s nutrition, food security and associated adverse pregnancy and neonatal health outcomes with ACPIR supervisor Dr Georgia Kafer.
4. A scoping review of health care workers knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to hand hygiene with ACPIR supervisor Dr Matt Mason.

Undergraduate students (the ACPIR SRS participants) are paid a stipend / bursary for participation in the SRS of $3,000 for the 8-week program. The scholarship will be paid in instalments over the SRS period.

The ACPIR SRS will be 8 weeks in duration and held over the Summer (2024/2025). There is flexibility in the days/times that the student can work, and this will be negotiated at the start of the ACPIR SRS. Applications close 5pm December 8th, 2024.

Eligibility

• current Undergraduate or Honours students enrolled at UniSC.

See specific projects for additional project specific requirements.

Selection criteria

• written statement detailing the following points:
  • preference given to students with an interest in conducting research /working in alignment to an ACPIR research area
  • intention/motivation for ongoing study/research and pursuit of a Higher Degree by Research (HDR)
  • career / research aspirations
• academic merit, based on GPA

See specific projects for additional project specific requirements

Eligible programs

Undergraduate and Honours programs at UniSC

Number available

4

Value

A$3,000 paid in fortnightly instalments

Application

Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR) Summer Research Scholarship Application Form (PDF 274KB) 

Please address queries to the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research at acpir@usc.edu.au

Applications close 5pm Sunday, December 8th, 2024.