CGEPS PhD Program

PhD program launch

In 2025 we launched the CGEPS PhD program.

The program supports research to drive intersectional workplace gender equality and grow the community of researchers working in this space.

The program is open to students from:

• the social sciences
• psychology
• law
• business (including human resources and industrial relations).

Research projects should:

• align with the goals of the Gender Equality Act 2020
• be relevant to the Victorian context
• ideally make use of data collected by the Commission.

Benefits of the program

Successful applicants will:

• work closely with the Commission throughout their PhD candidature
• develop research that supports gender equality
• meet regularly with the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner
• have access to external supervision from PhD-qualified Commission staff
• use a desk space at the Commission's Melbourne office
• access the Commission’s data
• meet with key workplace gender equality stakeholders
• learn about the Victorian public sector and government policy
• have the potential to apply for a small professional development grant.

Who can apply

• You must be enrolled, or planning to enrol in a PhD program at an Australian university. It is preferred that you apply to the CGEPS PhD Program before commencing your candidature.
• You must have a scholarship or be able to fund your own research.
• You must be able to regularly work in Melbourne at the Commission’s office.

We especially encourage applications from:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• people with disability
• people from LGBTIQA+ communities.

Important dates

You may apply at any time and applicant assessment will occur on a rolling basis.

However, we ask that you align your application with your candidature commencement date.

• If your candidature commences in semester 1, please apply by 31 October the year before.
• If your candidature commences in semester 2, please apply by 30 April in the same year.

Acceptance to the CGEPS PhD Program at other times is at the discretion of the Commissioner.

How to apply

Applicants must:

1. Read the CGEPS PhD Program Guidelines
2. Contact the research team at the Commission. Email Dr Kate Farhall and Dr Jessica Megarry to discuss your proposal: enquiries@genderequalitycommission.vic.gov.au
3. Complete the CGEPS PhD Application Form.

Submit application to enquiries@genderequalitycommission.vic.gov.au

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