2026 Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology
Job No.: 693569
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5 years fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Faculty of Arts Research Living Allowance, at current value of $37,145AUD per annum 2026 full time rate (tax free stipend), indexed plus allowances, as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/scholarships/fees-scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures with an additional top up of $10,000 per annum (non-indexed).
The Opportunity
As a result of the generosity and vision of the late Francine V McNiff, the Social and Political Sciences Graduate Research Program in the Faculty of Arts will annually offer the Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology at Monash University.
The late Francine V McNiff, was a Monash alumna (LLB 1976), former staff member, barrister, and the first female Magistrate in Victoria. Francine was passionate about the study of law and had deep connections with Monash.
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be a New Zealand or Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and provide a sound argument demonstrating that without the award of the scholarship, economically, it would be difficult or impossible to undertake the degree.
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.
The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by researchers in Criminology within the School of Social Sciences and researchers in the Faculty of Law, subject to capacity and subject area expertise. The Criminology program at Monash is internationally renowned for theory-informed, data-driven, and evidence-based research that leads to practice and policy change in local, national, and international contexts. They are research leaders in a number of key areas including penology, gender and family violence, technology and crime, policing, and crime prevention. Monash Criminology is distinct in Australia for its consistent success in attracting national and international competitive funding for major research. They are particularly interested in supervising candidates in relation to:
- Policing (practice and policy; policing and race; policing of gendered violence; police-community relations; police use of force; police accountability)
- Punishment, prison and reintegration (prison practice and reform; desistance and reintegration)
- Restorative justice
- Criminal justice policy reform
- Hate crime, prejudice, and social exclusion
- Gender-based violence (experiences, justice responses to harm, and prevention initiatives)
- Cybercrime, technology-facilitated harms, and harnessing technology in response to harm
In addition to the scholarship and top-up, graduate research candidates in the Faculty of Arts also have access to funding for research trips spanning conferences and major events relevant to their own independent research, as well as other research-related expenses.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and have an excellent academic track record in Criminology or Law, or another relevant discipline (e.g., Sociology, Political Science, Gender Studies, Psychology and Human Geography). Applicants must demonstrate financial disadvantage and we welcome applicants who are refugees or immigrants.
Applicants will be considered provided that they fulfil the criteria for PhD admission at Monash University, including English-language proficiency skills. Details of eligibility requirements to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available at www.arts.monash.edu/graduate-research/application-process.
Scholarship holders must be enrolled full time and on campus. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered. Current Monash PhD students in the first year (12 months) of candidature (whether pre or post confirmation) will be considered if eligible.
Successful applicants will be expected to enrol by end of August 2026. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.
Enquiries
Enquiries concerning intended topics for research should be directed in the first instance to Dr Kathryn Benier at kathryn.benier@monash.edu.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
EOIs shall comprise:
- A cover letter that includes a brief statement of your suitability for this project, including how you meet the eligibility criteria
- A brief research proposal not exceeding 750 words in length that fits within the broad project aims and objectives, and demonstrates an 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
Once you have discussed your EOI with Dr Kathryn Benier, please submit your Expression of Interest Form and indicate that you are applying for a “Special Scholarship Scheme – 2026 Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology”.
Applications Close: Monday, 8th June 2026 at 11:59pm AEST
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