PhD Scholarship opportunity: Curtin University (Perth)
Wulan Dirgantoro
*Applications close 15 June 2026*
The project is part of an Australian Research Council funded Discovery Project, ‘Art, politics and donor agendas in Timor-Leste’ (DP260100679, 2026-28) to investigate the contemporary arts landscape in Timor-Leste and how it is shaped by the politics and agendas of donors and the East Timorese state.
The PhD project will examine intercultural curation initiatives involving East Timorese and international artists and curators. Research for the PhD will involve fieldwork in Timor-Leste, some of which will be conducted with the ARC Discovery project team, involving researchers from Curtin and other Australian universities. The successful applicant will be supervised by Associate Professor Vannessa Hearman and Professor Kit Messham-Muir in the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry (MCASI).
Ideal Candidate
Applicants should have completed a BA (Honours) or Master’s degree in Art, Art History, History, Politics, Anthropology, or an associated discipline with an appropriate research component. In addition, the ideal candidate must meet the following criteria:
- They should preferably have a working knowledge of the main language(s) needed to undertake research and familiarity with Timor-Leste or another Southeast Asian or Pacific Island setting.
- Applicants should also have excellent written and oral communication skills, be able to work in teams, and have some experience in qualitative research methods.
- Previous research experience and outputs will be highly regarded.
- This project is open to full-time enrolled Domestic applicants only. Preferably Based in Perth.
Scholarship
One Curtin University Higher Degrees by Research Scholarship for a maximum period of 3.5 years at $38,440 per annum (indexed), based on full-time enrolment.
For enquires please contact Associate Professor Vannessa Hearman at vannessa...@curtin.edu.au.
To formally apply please submit an Expression of Interest to Associate Professor Vannessa Hearman
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we work, learn and live. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the Academy.
