THRIVE Logan - Social architecture and collective impact

We are currently looking for a PhD candidate to map the social architecture that is required to and assess how community capacity has been built as a result of the THRIVE Logan initiative. The primary focus of this role is to determine the effectiveness of collective impact approaches designed to improve the social and economic wellbeing of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Logan.

Success in this role will therefore require effective engagement and collaboration with culturally and linguistically diverse communities and organisations, and key decision-makers in Logan.

Scholarship details

THRIVE Logan is a three-year project that harnesses Logan’s rich diversity by connecting communities and partners to enhance economic and social participation, enabling all who live, work and visit there to thrive.  The initiative seeks to provide leadership, facilitation and coordination that builds community capacity and leverages the strengths and opportunities of Logan’s diversity and its unique economic environment.  THRIVE Logan maximises impact by focussing on the following areas: building community capacity, improving economic participation, empowering local women and addressing social isolation and loneliness.

School of  Health  Sciences and  Social Work

This PhD Scholarship and project will be based with the School of Health Sciences and Social Work. The School of Health Sciences and Social Work is the largest school in the University by staff numbers, with 161 staff, including 129 academic staff across 3 campuses (Gold Coast, Nathan, Logan) and 4% First Nations staff.


We have 14 disciplines within the school, with 55 programs offering 171 courses across 3 trimesters and 3 campuses (Gold Coast, Nathan and Logan).

The total student enrolment in SHS is 4022. Griffith University is known for promoting inclusion and diversity in students and staff. SHS reflects this in our unique student profile, as 72% of students are women, 17% do not speak English at home, and >50% are First in Family to attend university.

SHS have 5 joint research appointments with Queensland Health and other stakeholders. In addition, 94 research-active academic staff are supporting 172 HDR candidates.  Research income for SHS is in excess of $5 million per annum (2020-2023), highlighting the volume of research activity that is ongoing in the school. SHS research has high impact, evidenced by >350 ERA publications per annum, which place us 4th in the world for Social Work (ERA), and 24th in the world for Sport (QS World Ranking). SHS researchers partner with the Menzies Health Institute Queensland and collaborate with a broad range of external partners to undertake ground-breaking, innovative research.

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 have demonstrated experience and leadership in the community services sector.

You will have evidence of a passion for working collaboratively and collective impact approaches, with a strong desire to undertake research with diverse communities and related health and community service contexts.

  • 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 in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.

It would be desirable if applicants have English as a second language and a demonstrated commitment to addressing issues facing culturally and linguistically diverse communities AND demonstrated interest in the economic value of social enterprises and programs.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

  1. A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
  2. A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
  3. A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

The 2023 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $32,192 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

An Industry funded top-up scholarship to the value of $10K per annum  for a period of up to three years full-time study is also available.

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. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

For project related enquiries please contact:

Associate Professor Paul Harris


Phone: (07) 3382 1569


Email: p.harris@griffith.edu.au

Associated Professor Martin Downes


Phone: (07) 3735 9106


Email: m.downes@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to ‘p.harris@griffith.edu.au’ 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) using the Griffith CV template.
  • Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is:  5pm, Monday 20 November 2023

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line