Fully funded PhD - Joint PhD in Economics (Economic History) - University of Glasgow and University of Sydney

Interested in a fully-funded joint PhD in applied economics and economic history with co-supervisors at the University of Glasgow and at the University of Sydney (and in the end one PhD from each institution)? Come and work with us to learn about the long-term consequences of colonisation in Australia.

Please see the link below for more information and link to apply.

Apply by 19 April 2024, start in Autumn 2024.

Stipend at UKRI rate for 3.25 years plus fees plus travel grant.

Information on the Schools/Research Groups

The successful candidate will be registered as a postgraduate researcher in the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow. Within the Economics Subject Group, they will be supported by our Applied Economics Cluster. The cluster brings together staff and PGRs researching various fields including labour economics, behavioural economics, economic history, economic development, economics of crime and other. The first supervisor is going to be Professor Michele Battisti (University of Glasgow). The rest of the supervisory team includes Dr Jordi Vidal-Robert (University of Sydney), Associate Professor Marian Vidal-Fernandez (University of Sydney) and Professor Sayantan Ghosal (University of Glasgow).

Project details

Since the early European settlements in the late 18th century, the economic history of Australia is very deeply linked to its colonisation. This PhD thesis proposal will create a rich dataset to measure the impact that British colonialisation had on its Australian colonies on a range of economic outcomes in the short and long-run. Using British and Irish records of settlers, Australian arrival records and subsequent censuses, together with current and recent rich administrative health records and surveys, the focus of this thesis will be twofold.

First, this thesis will merge and match a range of British and Australian records to 1) measure the mortality, morbidity, and characteristics of settlers travelling to Australia in the short run and 2) understand how the selection of surviving settlers still impacts the health of current Australians. Second, this project will employ early Australian censuses and arrival records, together with data on massacres that is currently being collected and surveys, to analyse the impact of the relative arrival of free versus convict settlers across different areas in Australian on the severity and incidence of indigenous massacres and current political views. Understanding the dynamics of these foundational periods is crucial for shedding light on the root causes of contemporary disparities and informing effective policy measures.

The candidate will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with the supervisory team on the main project. In addition, the candidate will receive support from both the supervisory team and two institutions to conduct their own independent research. The PhD candidate will receive two degree certificates issued by USYD and Glasgow, and these are conferred separately by each institution in accordance with each Institutions’ polices and procedures.

Award details

The scholarship is available as a full-time + 3.25 (3 year 3 month) programme only.

The programme will commence in October 2024.

The funding includes:

• An annual stipend at the UKRI rate
• Fees at the standard home rate or International rate
• Students can also draw on a Research Training Support Grant, usually up to a maximum of £940 per year
• One-off travel grant of £3,000 to facilitate the required travel between Glasgow and Sydney.

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