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Master of Arts Scholarship in Auslan Teaching

Job No.: 669044

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 2-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $35,013AUD per annum 2024 full-time rate (tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/future-students/scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures. A tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) will be provided for a successful international awardee.

The Opportunity

This MA scholarship is funded as an important part of an ARC funded project Transforming Auslan Education in Australia, conducted by Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby.

This ARC project is an industry fellowship with Melbourne Polytechnic and the Victorian Deaf Education Institute as Key Partner Organisations. The successful applicant will join the research team and contribute to the wider project but will also undertake their own distinct MA project. The details of the MA project are open to negotiation, but it should contribute to one (or more) areas of focus within the wider project:

  • Auslan teacher skills and training pathways
  • Auslan teacher cognition
  • Implementation and evaluation of Auslan learning resources in TAFE classrooms

It is expected that the project would work with teachers from Melbourne Polytechnic’s Auslan Program as part of the participant/ co-design pool, but the student may also work with a wider group of Auslan teachers.

Undertaking this MA as part of a larger project has several advantages. First, the successful candidate will be integrated into an already successful research agenda that has been funded by the Australian Research Council, and will have access to funding to support fieldwork, transcription, travel, and conference attendance. Second, the candidate will benefit from expert supervision from research leaders in the field, and from entering a MA with a pre-existing structure. Finally, the candidate will benefit from being part of outcomes from the research, which may include co-authored publications (where the candidate’s contributions will be recognised through co-authorship), public-engagement exercises, and future grant applications.

Monash University is the largest university in Australia and regularly ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide. Monash has six globally networked campuses and international alliances in Europe and Asia. The applicant will be based at the Clayton campus in Melbourne. Social Science at Monash is diverse and vibrant, including research expertise in linguistics, sociology, politics and interpreting and translation studies. We have a strong and supportive research culture, led by internationally recognised scholars successful in attracting national and international competitive funding.

Candidate Requirements

The successful applicant will be a fluent Auslan user with demonstrated experience as an Auslan teacher and/ or teacher trainer. Deaf applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those with research experience in Auslan teaching, Auslan linguistics or Deaf Studies. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate strong links into the Deaf and Auslan teacher communities, either through lived experience and/ or a track record of successful work/ co-research with Deaf Auslan teachers.

In its assessment, the selection committee will prioritise applicants who hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honour’s or Master’s degree (both in a relevant field), with a significant research component and with first-class honours/H1 awarded. Relevant research experience and/or industry experience beyond degree qualifications will also be considered.

Details of eligibility requirements, including English-language proficiency skills, to undertake a MA in the Faculty of Arts are available at arts.monash.edu/graduate-research/application-process. Applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with these requirements before deciding whether they should apply.

Scholarship holders must be enrolled on campus. Scholarship holders must normally be enrolled full-time, but those with a disability/health condition that precludes full-time enrolment can be considered for part-time enrolment. 

The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by June 2025. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.

Enquiries: You are required to discuss your research proposal with Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby, School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics, Email: Louisa.Willoughby@monash.edu, before you submit an Expression of Interest.

Submit an Expression of Interest

EOIs shall comprise:

  • A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability
  • A brief research proposal not exceeding 750 words in length that fits within the broad project aims and objectives, and demonstrates some understanding of the area of research
  • A curriculum vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations and relevant work experience
  • A full statement of academic records, degree certificates and official grading system (if available), supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
  • English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
  • Names and contact details of 2 academic referees
  • Copy of your current passport (if available)

Once you have discussed your EOI with Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby, please submit your Expression of Interest Form and indicate that you are applying for a “Special Scholarship Scheme – MA Scholarship in Auslan education".

Applications Close: Sunday 6 October 2024, 11:55pm AEST

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Monash University recognises that its Australian campuses are located on the unceded lands of the people of the Kulin nations, and pays its respects to their elders, past and present.