The Voice Gap: Employee Voice Under Threat in a Changing World of Work
We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to join a world leading research team on an exciting new project funded by the Australian Research Council.
The primary focus of this role is to contribute to an externally funded project, The Voice Gap: Employee Voice Under Threat in a Changing World of Work.
The PhD project will be supervised by Prof Michael Barry (Griffith University), Prof Adrian Wilkinson (Griffith University), and Dr Maria Khan (QUT).
This project explores the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on promoting hybrid and remote work and how this has necessitated new methods of workplace communication, with established voice systems rendered less effective/obsolete. These changes are impacting employees' ability to speak up for their rights, and also to support workplace productivity. The project will explore emerging voice mechanisms, including digital and social media, and, using innovative research techniques, demonstrate how they are/are not filling existing voice gaps. In doing so the project will show where employee voice is most needed, how it can be accessed, and what social and economic benefits are possible for Australia.
You will conduct research aligned with the research topic and the aims of the project, including by examining case studies of how voice operates in industries such as hospitality and tourism which are prevalent in the Griffith University catchment areas of Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Scholarship details
Project lead Prof Barry, and Prof Wilkinson are world experts on employee voice, and are members of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW), at Griffith University. Established in 2007 and consisting of 50 academic researchers, including six fellows of national and international scholarly Academies, WOW provides a strong research culture. WOW incorporates scholars from industrial relations, HRM, organisational behaviour and other work aligned fields. The Centre ranks second in Australia and eighth globally for cited research on industrial relations and employment relations.
The PhD will be based at Griffith University’s Brisbane South (Nathan) Campus.
The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will be able to apply independent problem-solving, and communicate scientific results clearly. You will have evidence of a passion for understanding workplace dynamics, with a strong desire to undertake research in the area of employee voice.
- Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
- Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.
- Prior experience in any of the following areas is desired, but not necessary: employment relations & human resource management or similar.
The 2026 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $35,656 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.
A successful international applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.
As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply.
As part of this project, there may be opportunities to travel to present at conferences.
For project related enquiries please contact:
Professor Michael Barry
Email: m.barry@griffith.edu.au
For administration enquiries please contact:
Griffith Graduate Research School
Phone: (07) 3735 3817
Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to Prof Michael Barry containing:
- Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
- Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Names of two academic referees
The closing date for expressions of interest is: 5pm AEST, Friday, 19 December, 2025. Expressions after that time will be considered only if the position is not already filled.
The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line.
Get in touch
If you have a question, need some help with your scholarship application, or would like to make a donation, feel free to contact us.