Graduate study at CPAS

Science communication is a broad, multi-disciplinary area of study.  Open to appropriately qualified science graduates, research in science communication considers the greater contexts of how, where, why, and by whom science is communicated.  Projects may consider all manner of phenomena associated with the presentation and delivery of science information, usually taking a particular science as a focal point. 

1.    Why study at CPAS?   

·        The Centre for the Public Awareness of Science is Australia’s oldest and most diverse academic science communication centre located at Australia’s leading research university, the Australian National University.

·        The Centre for the Public Awareness of Science is unique in its orientation to both applied and theoretical studies of the communication of science.  Students receive a theoretical grounding in communicating with the public, training in research methods and practical training in professional effective science communication.

·        CPAS is part of a growing network of science communicators.  It has links with communication programs in universities in Britain, Europe and the Americas and with many interactive science centres in Europe, America and Asia.  In March 2000 CPAS became an accredited Centre for the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, with the task of collaborating both within Australia and with our Pacific neighbours in raising the awareness of science in many diverse communities. 

2.    What topic areas are studied by research students?

Research is not limited only to the interaction of science information between experts and publics.  It also considers how scientists talk to other scientists; how the role of the expert affects and is affected by communication contexts; the kind of information people would like to receive and the manner in which they might like to receive it; the place of science in society; how risk is best communicated.

Staff have expertise in the following research areas:

·   Communication of science in health issues such as immunization and mental illness

·   Sustainable development

·   Science centre experiences

·   Risk communication

·   Perceptions of expertise

But students study a wide range of topics. Previous topics have included:

• The analysis of the public perceptions of risk in the immunization debate
• Mental modeling of chemical relationships
• Public perceptions of experts in mental illness
• The role of museums and science centres in public awareness

The multi-disciplinary nature of science communication makes it amenable to people from a diversity of academic and professional backgrounds.  Interested candidates are encouraged to discuss their area of interest with the staff at CPAS as the possibilities for research in this exciting new area are very wide. 

3.    What is it like to be a graduate research student at CPAS?

·        Our Centre welcomes people from all over the world and provides a friendly atmosphere and collegial support. Current students have a wide range of backgrounds and choose a variety of research projects.

·        Full-time students are given a place to work with computer and other practical support. 

·        Students are supervised by a staff member with expertise in their research area throughout the course of the project, guiding and encouraging them until completion.  They will also be encouraged and assisted to publish papers in journals.

·        There are weekly seminar sessions on a variety of science communication subjects, often given by CPAS students who present some of the knowledge and experience they gained from their projects.

·        Students have the opportunity to interact with and learn from a diversity of other students and staff with similar interests to your own.

·        Students also make contact with people in the media, industry and government who also see communicating science as a priority.

4.    Where will I study?

The main ANU campus is located in Canberra and is within walking distance of the city area.  All lectures are conducted on campus giving students access to communication experts and world leaders in research. 

5.    Current students

View current PhD research projects

6.    How to apply

Click here for application instructions

7.    Overseas students

Unless you can afford to pay large annual fees plus living expenses while you study in Australia you will need to obtain a scholarship.  If you do not have scholarship money from your own country to cover the costs, then foreign students must win a scholarship.

The International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) pays the full university fees plus provides medical insurance and the cost of your airfare. A proportion of the people who win the IPRS also win an ANU PhD Scholarship which pays a stipend to live on, but this is not automatic for IPRS winners. Students are able to live well on an ANU PhD Scholarship stipend in Canberra.

Please note that IPRS scholarships are EXTREMELY competitive and many very good people miss out—each year at the ANU several hundred applicants are in the running for only around 18 scholarships. Because of this extreme competitiveness, students applying to do a Masters are almost always excluded. Thus, students who already have a Masters and are applying to enter a PhD program will generally have a better chance. People who win IPRS generally have a Masters, an outstanding undergraduate and Masters record, outstanding letters of recommendation, awards, strong support from a potential ANU supervisor and most also have at least one publication. Because not all of the IPRS winners also win the ANU PhD Scholarship to pay a stipend, if you win an IPRS you may still have to find a source of funding to live on.

For more information please contact the Graduate Studies Convenor.