australian national university phd thesis

All Australian National University theses are in digital form. You can search for them online through the  theses collection in ANU Open Research , and are also searchable via the  Library Catalogue .

The majority of ANU theses are openly accessible but a small number are restricted due to cultural sensitivities, copyright controls or other restrictions.

Digital theses

Digital theses can be searched online through the  theses collection in ANU Open Research .

The Australian National University Library’s theses collection holds the research output of the University’s academic community over the last 60 years. The first ANU thesis was awarded in 1953.

By digitising its print theses collection, ANU Library delivers the University’s unique and original research in a freely available, open access online collection. Digital delivery expands engagement with the Library’s collections, provides visibility to the university’s scholarship, and supports the careers of its academic community.

Restrictions

The majority of theses are openly accessible; however, some may not be available under open access conditions due to author or copyright restrictions.

If an author wishes to restrict access to their thesis (or part of it), they can elect to do so as part of the online submission process. If after 12 months an extension to that restriction is required, a new application must be completed.

In the case of a Higher Degree by Research thesis, approval is required from the Dean, Higher Degree Research and can be sought by filling out an  Extension of Thesis Restriction of Access Request Form  or emailing  [email protected] . If approved, the Open Research team will be notified and restrict access to the online version of your thesis in line with the decision made.

Read our  Restriction Infosheet  for more information about applying for restrictions on theses.

Hard copy theses

Hard copy theses can be requested  for reading within the Library, but cannot be borrowed.

The majority of theses are available for research or study, however some may not be available due to author or copyright restrictions.

To check whether access restrictions apply to a particular thesis, ask at the  Menzies Library  Information Desk or email the  ANU Library .

Non-ANU readers are advised to check in advance whether they will be granted access to a particular thesis.

Location of hard copy theses

• ANU Doctoral and Masters’ theses (1953-2018) –  Menzies Library
• Master of Law and International Law theses (pre-October 1987) –  Law Library
• ANU Honours theses – held by the  ANU Colleges
• ANU Law Honours theses (selected) – Law Library or online through  ANU Open Research
• Non-ANU theses (without access restrictions) are on the open shelves.
• Hard copy theses requests

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Our highly-ranked research program features world-renowned faculty, interdisciplinary research, and a spirit of collaboration. Both the Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy are advanced research-focused degrees that produce high-quality original research under the supervision of world-class researchers and intellectual leaders.

Master of Philosophy

A 2-year program of research to produce a thesis

Doctor of Philosophy

A 4-year program of research to produce a thesis that makes a significant contribution to the field

ANU is ranked among the world’s most prestigious universities and is recognised for setting the standard in education and research on matters that will have an impact on advancing society and the world in which we live. Our graduates become the innovators and leaders of the future. For these reasons, admission to one of our research programs is competitive and most successful applicants are in the top five to ten percent of their class in their previous degree.

Pre-Application

In applying for research study at the ANU School of Engineering you should identify a research area and a potential supervisor within the School of Engineering with whom you may like to work. Potential supervisors are listed within each research area. You may also like to explore availabilities in current research projects . Note that regardless of the quality of the application, you cannot be accepted into an ANU Engineering research program without having the support of an ANU Engineering researcher willing to supervise you.

When contacting potential supervisors it is important that you provide information relevant to your application, including a current CV and a brief research proposal. Our researchers are internationally recognised and receive many expressions of interest. If the potential supervisor is interested in speaking with you further, he or she will contact you by email. Please be patient as many of our researchers are extremely busy and have regular international travel, so there may be a delay in responding to your request. If a supervisor agrees to support your application, you may proceed to submit a formal application.

Formal Application

If you believe you meet eligibility requirements and you have secured the support of a research supervisor, you may then submit a formal application for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) through the ANU application portal. Please see the ANU Postgraduate application advisory page for more information.

Documentation

A complete application includes:

• An application submitted through the ANU application portal .
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé .
• A research proposal.
• Colour copies of all transcripts and completion certificates of prior study, with official English translation if the original document is not in English.
• Three complete referee reports (referees are nominated through the application portal).

If we receive an incomplete application, the ANU Research Study Administration Team will contact the applicant and give 30 days to provide the outstanding documentation. If required documentation is not provided, the application will be denied.

We recommend submitting your application at least two weeks prior to scholarship application deadlines to give your referees time to provide their references for you.

Scholarships

We are committed to supporting our students with scholarships. All applications for scholarship are carefully and rigorously assessed. Our scholarship rounds are highly competitive, and we are only able to provide scholarship funding for the top applicants.

To view the full list of scholarships offered by the ANU, please visit the ANU Scholarships page .

Individual ANU School of Engineering researchers may also have access to additional research funding for scholarships from external partners or from the School. Please ask your potential research supervisor about these external/internal scholarships.

Details about the 2022 scholarship rounds are available on the Research Scholarship Information Page .

Additional Support

Enrolled ANU School of Engineering Postgraduate Research students automatically receive generous financial support from the School for professional development activities (such as travel to conferences to present their work, and a PC/laptop for their work). There are also additional ANU funding sources for enrolled students , including:

• Vice-Chancellor’s Travel Grant—Higher-Degree Research
• ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Travel Grant Award

A dedicated team of academic and professional staff are available within the College to provide support for all our Postgraduate Research students. The College Postgraduate Research Services team is the best first point of contact. If they can’t help you directly, they will forward your query to the appropriate staff member or team.

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• Programs and Courses

Doctor of Philosophy, Chemistry

A single four year research award offered by the Research School of Chemistry

• Length 4 year full-time
• Minimum 192 Units
• Academic plan 9620XPHD
• Post Nominal PhD
• CRICOS code 048373G
• Chemical Sciences NEC
• Prof Mark Humphrey
• Admission & Fees
• Introduction

Employment Opportunities

Career options, learning outcomes, inherent requirements, further information.

• Additional Information

Admission Requirements

Scholarships.

• Indicative Fees

Program Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy requires completion of a research project that demonstrates a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the field of study. This includes the submission and successful examination of a thesis of up to 100,000 words.

Completion of a standard program for a Doctor of Philosophy requires a minimum of 96 units and a maximum of 192 units of enrolment in the research component.

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

Admission to a Doctor of Philosophy is also subject to supervisory capacity, availability of appropriate infrastructure and resources, and approval from the relevant Delegated Authority within the Academic College.

Applicants must:

1.      Present a relevant Bachelor Honours degree or international equivalent

• With a minimum grade of Second Class Honours – Upper (H2A); 
• or an equivalent combination of qualifications, research publications and/or professional experience related to the field of study.

2.      Have the written approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis.

3.      Provide:

• A detailed research proposal outlining your intended research, (applicants should seek guidance from the potential supervisor regarding length and content);
• Original evidence of all relevant academic qualifications and graduation documentation (with English translation as appropriate);
• An up-to-date CV including academic qualifications, work experience and research publications;
• At least two academic referee reports.

4.      All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students

Indicative fees

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the  Services and amenities fee  (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

ANU offers a wide range of  scholarships  to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the  Scholarships  website.

Exceptional research degrees at ANU

The Australian National University provides PhD students with a vibrant research community and outstanding program support . When selecting a research program, an institution's reputation is everything. ANU is one of the world's leading universities, and the smart choice for your research program.

As a PhD student you will work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development.

As a PhD candidate at the Research School of Chemistry you will have the opportunity to work alongside and learn from world class academics and multi-disciplinary researchers. We strive to provide an outstanding level of training and support from laboratory based research to career and development guidance. You will have the chance to make use of some of Australia’s premier facilities and access to collaborations with industries and government the ANU has cultivated to deliver impactful and beneficial change to the global community.

The RSC is engaged in number of pioneering research areas including:

• Chemical Biology
• Computational and Theoretical Chemistry
• Energy, Environment and Green Chemistry,
• Functional Materials and Interfaces
• Inorganic & Organometallic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry & drug development
• Polymer Chemistry

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

Career options following the Doctor of Philosophy include many opportunities in addition to an academic path.  Our alumni are highly sought after for employment in a wide range of fields, including teaching, research, finance, patenting and law, science communication and policy formulation, and pharmaceutical and veterinary product development, regulation and testing, as well as positions within the materials / energy sector.

critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate complex information in a specific area of the discipline relevant to their research;

formulate a research plan and undertake independent research to address specific research questions that make a substantial contribution to knowledge;

ensure that research is carried out with integrity and actively promote responsible conduct of research;

develop, adapt and implement research methodologies relevant to their research questions;

demonstrate expert technical and/or specialist skills relevant to their research focus;

communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences in both written and oral form;

demonstrate appropriate collegial and professional behaviour, and safe working practices as required by their specific research focus.

No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this program, but a condition of supervisor approval may be required to confirm the research project is feasible and it should be noted that the majority of research projects will require on campus attendance.

The completion of a Doctor of Philosophy normally takes between three and four years of full-time study or part-time equivalent and is conducted in English. The award is made on the basis of independent research resulting in a detailed thesis comprising original written work, normally of up to 100,000 words, that is independently assessed by no fewer than two external examiners of international standing. 

All candidates are required to complete Research Integrity Training. In addition, candidates will also be able to participate in the College of Science Career Development Framework and demonstrate broader skills in research training, teaching and learning, industry and innovation, policy and governance; and opportunities to develop other transferable skills.

More information on how to apply can be found at https://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/anu-postgraduate-research-domestic-and-international-applications .

There are a number of scholarships available to ANU HDR candidates to assist with the cost of their studies; however, in general first class honours might be required for consideration for a scholarship. Scholarships are highly competitive and not all applicants that receive an offer of admission to a HDR program will be successful in receiving a scholarship.

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School of History

Research Centres

• Australian Centre for Indigenous History
• Centre for Environmental History
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Graduate research degrees, how to apply, find a supervisor.

To undertake a graduate PhD research degree in the School of History the first step is to contact the HDR Convenor and a potential supervisor.

Please see our people for each staff member's research fields .

Prepare a thesis research proposal according to the template provided

The second step is to prepare a PhD thesis research proposal. It should provide a clear sense of your research project, its aims, its viability and its originality. Proposals should be a maximum of 1,000 words (exclusive of your bibliography).* Please use the Bold  words and phrases as the template for your proposal:

Your full name

A short descriptive title for your project

The object of inquiry (i.e. the aim and key questions that focuses the research)

A clear indication of your project’s scope (e.g. time period to cover, sites to consider, objects to document and analyse, populations to study etc.)

A description of your key sources  (e.g. the number and nature of subjects to analyse; the location and accessibility of data)

A review of the methodologies to be deployed, and a rationale for their use in light of the object of inquiry, your project’s scope and the data to be analysed

A review of your project’s historiographical approach and contribution (in light of existing contributions to your field)

An indication of your project’s originality (in terms of the nature of the inquiry, and/or the project’s scope, and/or its empirical base, and/or its selected methodologies, and/or its theoretical perspective)

A select Bibliography (highlighting key works that inform your study).

*Note: the University's generic on-line application form calls for a one-page proposal. However, to be considered for the graduate research programme in the School of History you must follow these guidelines and submit this proposal with your application.

Apply for admission

Australian and new zealand citizens.

To apply for admission into the PhD graduate research program as a domestic student and follow this link:

http://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply

For more information on PhD and MPhil applications in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, please visit http://cass.anu.edu.au/study/higher-degree-research/applications .

Applications to the School of History's PhD program must be submitted with the program code: 9520XPHD

Reports from three referees are essential and applications without them will not be considered for admission.

Your referees must use the form accessible at the bottom of this page ('resources'): http://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/anu-postgraduate-research-domestic-and...

It is best to contact prospective referees well in advance of application deadlines, and to ensure that they can comment on your proposed research as well as your academic background. Ideally, referees should be academics familiar with your qualifications; however, past supervisors from industry, who can comment on your independent research and writing capacity, may also serve as referees. Please check with your prospective supervisor or the HDR Convenor if you are unsure about the qualifications of your referees.

• Scholarships

The University deadline for Domestic Scholarship applications is 31 October. However, application files should be completed by mid-October in order to be processed by the School of History's rankings and admissions committee

RSSS Director's special top-up scholarship for the top-ranked applicant in the Research School -- $20,000 per annum ( details here )

International Applicants

The University deadline for International Scholarships is 31 August. However, application files should be completed by the beginning of August in order to be processed by the School of History's rankings and admissions committee. Information for international applicants, including fees, living expenses, and scholarship advice is available here.

To be eligible for admission, applicants should hold a BA (Hons.) in History at an H2A level or equivalent. However, applicants with prior training in related disciplines or a master's degree that includes a significant research component may also qualify for admission if they have the appropriate training to undertake a thesis and the appropriate project and supervision.

Further information

For further information on graduate research degree study in the School of History please contact Professor Martin Thomas , the HDR Convenor.

For further information on the Coursework graduate research students must complete in the School of History see http://history.cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/current-phd-and-mphil-students

Additional Resources

• Programs and Courses
• College of Arts and Social Sciences student pages
• Additional Funding: Hokari Scholarship
• Accommodation

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Make an original contribution to human knowledge, research and development with a postgraduate research degree.

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You can also reach us through this number: +61 2 6125 1634

The major component of a research program is a substantial written work known as a thesis, which investigates a particular subject or issue.

Our PhD and MPhil students undertake research projects on topics ranging from the survival of threatened bird communities in box-gum grassy woodlands to long-term management techniques to reduce elephant crop-raiding in Kenya.

ANU is ranked 1 st in Australia and in the top 20 worldwide for Geography, Agriculture and Forestry, and in the top 25 universities globally for Environmental Science (QS World Rankings by Subject 2018).

As a research student in the Fenner School, you will work with increased independence, under the guidance of a supervisory panel of academic staff.  

You’ll be welcomed into our diverse community of scholars, have the opportunity to interact with world leading researchers and gain access to specialised field studies equipment and survey/experimental design and analysis advice.

Choose your degree

The Fenner School of Environment and Society offers these graduate research degrees:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Application process

Step 1 - assess your eligibility.

You need to have completed an undergraduate or master degree in a discipline relevant to your area of proposed research and meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree. All applicants must also meet the University's English language requirements for admission, noting that it is possible for you to apply without yet meeting English.

Step 2 - Find a supervisor

One of the most important steps in applying for a graduate research degree is identifying a potential academic supervisor.

Your application will only be accepted if there is an academic in the School who is willing to supervise your research project.

You can find an academic supervisor by searching the following databases:

• Fenner School Researchers
• ANU Researchers

Step 3 – Contact potential supervisor(s)

Once you have identified a potential academic supervisor whose research interests are close to your own, you then need to make contact with them.

We recommend you make contact with no more than two potential supervisors in the first instance and that you contact potential supervisors well in advance of making your application.

A potential supervisor will expect you to provide them with the following information:

• Your current curriculum vitae (CV)
• A two to four page research proposal, outlining your research objectives, your proposed theory and/or methodologies, some references to literature you have read, and why you think they are an appropriate supervisor for your research.

The academic staff member will let you know if they are interested in discussing your proposal further and developing it into a full application. Normally there are several email exchanges, or telephone discussions, with a potential supervisor before a final application is submitted.

If the person you contact is not interested in your research they may be able to suggest other potential supervisors and will often forward your details to colleagues who may be closer to your area of research.

Step 4 – Submit an application

Applications for ANU graduate research programs are submitted online via the ANU Application Manager .

To complete your application, you will need to include the Program Code for your chosen degree program:

Applications can be submitted at any time during the year, but if you want to be considered for a scholarship the closing dates are:

• 31 August for international students
• 31 October for domestic students

Scholarship recipients must commence by 31 March of the following year.

Search past ANU PhD theses

Past Fenner School PhD theses are available online via the ANU Open Access Theses collection, including:

• ‘Motivating change towards sustainability : a case for ecologically sustainable happiness’
• ‘Sustainability Bound? A study of interdisciplinarity and values in universities’
• ‘Valuing sustainable food and fibre : implications for integrated supply chain approaches to sustainability’
• ‘Sustainable energy for environment and development : the diffusion of renewable energy technologies to Pacific Island communities’

You can search the full ANU theses collection online via the Library Catalogue .

PhD in Economics

The PhD program in Economics is offered by the Research School of Economics (RSE), and caters to candidates of the highest academic ambition. RSE offers a diverse and stimulating intellectual environment, attracting candidates as well as faculty from all over the world. The School values open academic discourse, encourages collaboration, and is continuously searching for ideas that push and shift the research frontier. Our world-class faculty teach, supervise and support candidates on their journeys to become thought leaders in academia, government, national and international research institutions, think tanks, and business.

CRICOS #: 048345A

Duration: 2 to 4 years full time (4 to 8 years part time)

Before you submit an application for entry to the program, you should:

• ensure you meet the admission requirements outlined below.
• identify potential supervisors – that is, one or two academic economists at ANU who conduct research in your area of interest.

You can find information on researchers and their research areas in the  ANU researchers database  and  RSE staff directory .

While other ANU schools may recommend contacting potential supervisors before submitting an application,  this is not required  for entry into RSE’s PhD program. Instead, you only need to list the name(s) of potential supervisors in your online application form.

Potential supervisors cannot guarantee entry into the PhD program. Admission will depend on the strength of your application relative to others in the pool.

After you’ve completed the steps above, you can proceed with an  online application .

Application deadlines

The first semester of the ANU academic year starts in February, and the second semester starts in July. In general, successful applicants will start their PhD program with RSE in Semester 1 of the following year. While all applications for first semester entry must be submitted  before 31 October,  international applicants wishing to be considered for an  ANU scholarship  should submit their applications  before   31 August .

To be considered for a scholarship, your application must be accompanied by all the supporting documents listed below, including the referee reports. Request for referee reports are triggered and sent to your nominated referees at the time of submission of program application. It is thus important that you submit your application in advance (2-3 weeks) to allow time for your referees to provide their reports prior to the scholarship deadline.

If you’re currently completing an academic degree and haven’t yet received your final results and transcript, you should still submit all available documents before the deadline, and forward remaining results once you receive them. We won’t make a final decision on your application until we’ve received all the required documents.

If you’re admitted to the program, you’ll be expected to attend the pre-PhD summer course, Mathematical Techniques for Advanced Economic Analysis, which is offered during January and February, before the start of the semester.

Due to the sequencing of the coursework required for our PhD program, we’ll only consider applications for entry in the second semester (starting in July) if you have completed the ANU Master of Economics, or if you have a strong background in mathematical and statistical techniques.

ANU Master of Economics students interested in applying for entry into our PhD program should discuss their applications with the RSE Masters convenor  after completing the first year of the Master coursework ). All applications for entry in Semester 2 must be submitted  before  31 March .

The admission requirements for the PhD program in Economics reflect the advanced knowledge in economics that candidates will need to undertake the coursework component of the degree, and the research experience and skills needed to successfully undertake and complete the research thesis.

The minimum qualification requirement for admission to the PhD program in Economics is:

• a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours Division A in economics from an approved university, or
• a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours Division A in mathematics and/or statistics from an approved university, which includes a major or equivalent in economics, and a final grade at least of distinction in a third-year economics course, or
• an ANU Master of Economics, or an equivalent postgraduate qualification  in economics  from an approved university, with results that the convenor deems to be at least equivalent to Second Class Honours Division A at ANU.

Additionally, you will have to show evidence of your:

• advanced knowledge of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory and econometrics
• adequate background in mathematical methods and mathematical economics (at a minimum, at the level of the book  Mathematics for Economists  by Simon and Blume)
• research experience, e.g. in the form of an honours or Master thesis or research project, at a standard equivalent to a Second Class Honours Division A degree.

Admission to the PhD program in Economics is competitive and we can only admit a limited number of applicants each year. Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee you a place in the program.

If you don’t satisfy the eligibility criteria, or if you have the required qualifications but would prefer to have a refresher before applying to enter the PhD program, you can choose to first complete the  Master of Economics .

English language requirements

All applicants must satisfy the University’s  English language admission requirements . An international applicant who is not a native English speaker may satisfy these requirements by submitting evidence of an  IELTS  overall score of at least 6.5, and with no component less than 6.0, or a paper-based  TOEFL  score of at least 570, with at least 4.5 in the essay component.

Application and supporting documentation

You must submit your application online via the  ANU Application Manager .

In addition to the standard information required in the online application, you must submit the following supporting documents as part of your application:

• transcripts from previous study
• a brief research proposal that outlines your proposed area of research and the questions that you plan to address as part of your PhD thesis – see guidelines on how to  prepare a persuasive research proposal
• a copy of your honours or Master thesis
• details about your previous study in economics (e.g. course outlines of advanced economic theory and econometrics courses taken, including details of textbooks used)
• official  TOEFL  or  IELTS  results (where applicable) to demonstrate that you satisfy the University’s  English language requirements
• nomination of three referees. A referee report form will automatically be sent to the referees you list in your online application. Your application will be complete and ready for assessment once we receive all documents, including referee reports.

GRE requirement

As part of your application, you must also submit your  GRE General Test  results. The GRE  designated   institution code  for the  ANU College of Business and Economics  is  7833 . You should use this code to submit your official GRE results.

You’re exempt from the GRE requirement if you’ve already completed some of the coursework required for the PhD as part of an ANU Master of Economics or ANU Honours in Economics degree. Similarly, you’re exempt if you’ve completed an Honours in Economics degree from an Australian or New Zealand university, but we encourage you to provide GRE results to improve your chances of admission and scholarship support.

Offers of admission

The HDR (higher degree by research) convenor will review all complete applications submitted by the relevant deadline.

If your application is short-listed, you may be required to attend an interview (face to face or online).

We may send you an offer of admission if you satisfy the eligibility criteria and your area of interest matches those of RSE academics with supervisory capacity. However, since admission is competitive and supervisory capacity is limited, we won’t send any offers of admission until  after the relevant application deadline , irrespective of the date when you submit your application.

The PhD program in Economics consists of two components –  coursework  and  research .

Candidates undertake the research component after successfully completing the required coursework.

PhD coursework component

Pre-phd course.

All admitted candidates are expected to arrive in Canberra four to six weeks before the beginning of the semester and attend the pre-PhD course in Mathematical Techniques for Advanced Economic Analysis.

Candidates undertaking a PhD are normally required to successfully complete eight semester-length courses (including five compulsory courses) over two consecutive semesters of full-time study. Candidates holding the ANU Master of Economics degree may be exempt from part of the coursework requirement, at the discretion of the HDR convenor.

The coursework for the PhD in Economics consists of:

• ECON8011  Microeconomic Theory
• ECON8022  Macroeconomic Theory (Master)
• EMET8014  Advanced Econometrics I
• ECON8021  Topics in Microeconomic Theory
• ECON8001  Topics in Macroeconomics
• EMET8008  Advanced Econometrics II
• ECON8053  Game Theory
• ECON8076  Topics in Game Theory
• ECON8080  Advanced Behavioral Economics
• ECON8050  Economic Growth 
• ECON8009  International Monetary Economics
• ECON8070  Political Economy of Macroeconomic Policy
• ECON8014  Computational Methods in Economics
• EMET8001  Applied Micro-Econometrics
• EMET8010  Applied Macro and Financial Econometrics
• EMET8012  Business and Economic Forecasting
• MATH6110  Analysis 1: Metric Spaces and Applications
• MATH6212  Analysis 2: Lebesgue Integration and Hilbert Spaces
• MATH6214  Advanced Functional Analysis, Spectral Theory and Applications
• ECON8002  Applied Welfare Economics
• ECON8003  Economic Policy Issues
• ECON8010  The Economics of Taxation and Redistribution
• ECON8034  Public Sector Economics
• ECON8041  Labour Economics and Industrial Relations
• ECON8039  Health Economics
• ECON8037  Financial Economics
• ECON8038  Industrial Organisation
• ECON8047  Law and Economics
• ECON8040  Resource and Environmental Economics
• ECON8015  International Economics
• ECON8006  International Trade Theory

PhD research component

Upon successful completion of the compulsory courses and electives, PhD candidates proceed to the research component of their program. PhD candidates with two or more fails in their coursework cannot proceed to the research component.

The research component normally takes 36 months of full-time research. During this time, candidates write their thesis.

In each of the three years of research (when studying full-time), each candidate is expected to present their research at one of the  seminars run by RSE .

Research supervisory panel

When a PhD candidate is admitted to the program, a provisional supervisor – usually the HDR convenor – oversees the candidate’s progress until a primary supervisor is appointed. The Director of the School and the HDR convenor determine the primary supervisor and supervisory panel in consultation with the candidates.

Sometimes candidates change their topic, and this could necessitate changes in the supervisory panel. These changes are coordinated by the primary supervisor or the HDR convenor. All supervisory changes have to be approved by the convenor of the program and the Delegated Authority in accordance with ANU HDR policies and procedures.

RSE research seminar program

The RSE  research seminar series  consists of weekly seminars presented by national and international researchers. PhD candidates are expected to attend and participate regularly in the seminars throughout their candidature. Beginning with their thesis proposal review, candidates are also expected to present in the seminar series at least once every year.

Research integrity training

Within three to six months of enrolment, all PhD candidates must complete the  Research Integrity Training  and pass the exam. Completion of this course and exam is a compulsory milestone for all PhD candidates.

Thesis proposal review

In their second year of study, PhD candidates must submit a thesis proposal for review by their supervisory panel. The purpose of the review is to assess the originality, significance, adequacy and achievability of the candidate’s thesis plan.

The candidate generally submits their thesis proposal in conjunction with their first seminar presentation. The proposal includes a description of the research to be undertaken in the thesis, and a summary of the thesis structure and time plan. Successful completion of the thesis proposal review is required to continue in the program.

Annual progress review

It is University policy that each candidate’s progress be reviewed periodically. In each year of their program, PhD candidates are required to submit an  annual plan and report  as a basis for periodic progress review. This document provides details on work completed by the candidate since the previous review, current progress, and any problems that may impact their research. It also outlines the coursework and research the candidate intends to undertake in the following 12 months.

Oral Presentation

In their final year, candidates are required to give a final  oral presentation  on their research, usually three months before submitting their thesis.

Read more about  research candidate milestones .

Thesis submission and examination

The culmination of the PhD in Economics is a written thesis which, upon completion, is submitted for examination. The thesis is examined by two or three experts in the relevant field.

The PhD degree is awarded on the basis of the examination of the thesis. The examiners would be aware that the candidate has completed coursework requirements, but the level of performance in coursework is not taken into account in examining the candidate’s thesis for the award of the degree.

For more information on the process, visit our page on  submitting a thesis .

For information about scholarships available to HDR candidates, visit our page on  scholarships and fees .

Read details of some of our alumni’s recent  job placements .

A list of current PhD candidates in Economics is available on the RSE website .

How do I find Australian theses?

Sievers, Wolfgang (1963),  Monash University: Main Library, students at desks  1963 nla.obj-143591614

Theses completed for higher research degrees (PhD, Masters or Honours) form an important body of original research.

There are a number of places you can search for Australian theses, we have outlined the three main sources for you below.

National Library collection

While the Library holds a selection of theses presented to Australian universities, we do not have a comprehensive collection. 

To search the Library's collection for a thesis on a particular subject:

• Go to our  online catalogue  
• Type in your subject keywords, and add the keywords  dissertation or thesis, for example:  "global warming" AND thesis  ;  alpine AND thesis

To browse theses in the Library's collection:

• Select 'Browse alphabetically' and 'subject'
• Enter the terms 'Dissertations Academic'; for example:  Dissertations Academic
• Add the country of publication if known; for example:  Dissertations Academic Australia
• Hit browse.

We also hold a number of useful reference books on finding Australian theses, including:

• Guide to Microform Research Collections in the National Library of Australia .  1992. See pages 148-149 for an outline of the Australian and overseas theses held on microform at the National Library. This title is available on open access in the Newspapers and Family History zone .
• Union List of Higher Degree Theses in Australian University Libraries . 1959+ A list of theses submitted for a higher degree at Australian universities. The list is arranged by author, subject and keyword indexes. Supplements covering the period  1961-1976  and  1976-1991  can also be accessed via the catalogue.

Other Australian collections

Use the Library's discovery service  Trove to search for Australian and overseas theses in over one thousand Australian collecting institutions.

For a basic thesis search:

• Go to the homepage of Trove, type in your search terms and hit search
• Select the Books & Libraries category
• Select the 'Thesis' facet under 'Format' on the right-hand side.

If you'd like to use more advanced options in your search, on the results page you can click on advanced search (underneath the magnifying glass icon) to see the options available. 

Hint: to find thesis that are freely available online, narrow your search results to 'Freely available' under 'Online'.

You can find more search tips and strategies on Trove's  Australian theses blog .

University libraries

In most cases, a copy of a thesis is deposited in the library of the relevant university.

You can access the online catalogues of Australian university libraries through the  Australian Libraries Gateway . Links to many university libraries are also available through the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) .

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Japanese Australian trade : an approach to the study of bilateral trade flows

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Drysdale, Peter

Description

This thesis sets out to explain what at least to Japan and Australia, is a very significant bilateral trade flow. As it developed, the study assumed a wider perspective, for economic relations between Japan and Australia are, after all, only one aspect of economic relations between Japan, Australia, and the rest of the world. Thus, I was encouraged to search out a new approach to the analysis of bilateral trade. Whilst the focal point of my interest and the study remain the international ... [Show more] political economy of Japan and Australia, it is hoped that my enquiry into the analysis of bilateral trade has general relevance. Little work has been done in some of the fields into which I had wondered. The theory of bilateral trade was virtually non-existent. The economic history and analysis of Australia’s trade and industrial transformation was largely unexplored. Fortunately, much good work was available in Japan. Four main tasks presented themselves: to disentangle the theoretical issues involved in the study of bilateral trade; to come to grips with essential facts and causes of Japanese trade and economic experience; to attempt the same task for Australian trade and economic experience; and finally, to weld them together so as to explain the Japanese and Australian economies in their bilateral trade.

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Deposit copies of all ANU Doctoral and some Masters' theses are held in the Theses Collection in a restricted area of the R.G. Menzies Building , with the following exceptions:

• Master of Law and Master of International Law theses (presented before October 1987) are kept in the Law Library .
• ANU Honours theses are not usually held by the Library. Individual teaching departments may hold some of them.
• A collection of Law Honours theses is held in the Law Library . Details of these theses can be found in the Library Catalogue or by asking at the Law Library Information Desk.

You can search the ANU Library catalogue to locate ANU theses.  Remember to limit your catalogue search to 'ANU Theses' in the drop down menu next to the search box.

ANU theses are physically located in the Rare Book Room in the Menzies Library. Please note that ANU theses are "Not for Loan' but can be viewed in the library. For further information regarding ANU theses please contact the  Menzies Information Desk  or the ANU Document Supply Service .

Australian & International Theses

• Dissertations and Theses A&I (ProQuest) Indexes U.S. research postgraduate theses from 1861, with theses from other countries now included.
• EThOS The British Library's electronic theses online service which allows you to search across 250,000+ theses for free and order full text.
• Registry of Open Access Repositories (ROAR) e-Theses ROAR includes links to 100+ sites providing e-theses.
• Trove Research & Reports Trove contains almost a million theses. Some of these are in print format only, others are available online in digital format. To find theses in Trove Research & Reports, enter your search terms in the keyword search box and click the green search button. Then select 'Thesis' from the 'Format' filter options on the right-hand side of the screen. To find Australian theses, tick the ‘Australia’ option under the 'Place' filter options.
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Team Members

We are looking for new PhD students to join the team (see openings) !

Associate Professor Email: [email protected] Research area: See webpage

• PhD (Dr.rer.nat.), CAU, Germany

Brendan McKay

Emeritus Professor Email: [email protected] Research area: See webpage

• PhD in mathematics, University of Melbourne

Muhammad Farhan

Research Fellow Email: [email protected] Research area: See webpage

• PhD in CS, Australian National University

PhD Student (with CSIRO) Email: [email protected] Research area: See webpage

• MComp. and B.Eng., Australian National University

Gathika Ratnayaka

PhD Student Email: [email protected] Research area: Graph Matching

• B.Sc. (Hons), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Asela Hevapathige

PhD Student Email: [email protected] Research area: Graph Representation Learning

Xincheng Xu

PhD Student (with CSIRO) Email: [email protected] Research area: Privacy-Enhanced Analytics on Evolving Graphs

• BAC (Hons), Australian National University; SDUW, China

Buddhi Kothalawala

PhD Student Email: [email protected] Research area: Combinatorial Optimization

• B.Sc. (Hons), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Ruibiao Zhu

PhD Student Email: [email protected] Research area: Physical Simulation using Graph Neural Networks

• MComp, Australian National University

Collaborators

Dongwoo Kim

POSTECH, South Korea Email: [email protected] Research area: See webpage

• Ph.D. in CS, KAIST, South Korea

Henning Koehler

Massey University, New Zealand Email: [email protected] Research area: See webpage

• PhD in CS, Messey Univerity, New Zealand

Thilina Ranbaduge

Data61/CSIRO, Australia Email: [email protected] Research area: See webpage

Former Students

Ghodai Abdelrahman

PhD Thesis topic: Knowledge Tracing Using Deep Learning Methods (Presentation slides) (Thesis)

• B.Sc. and M.Sc., Helwan University, Egypt

Asiri Wijesinghe

PhD Thesis topic: Geometric Learning on Graph Structured Data (Presentation slides) (Thesis)

Masooma Iftikhar

PhD Thesis topic: Privacy-Preserving Data Publishing (Presentation slides) (Thesis)

• M.S. in CS, UET, Pakistan
• M.Sc., PUCIT, Pakistan

PhD (webpage) Thesis topic: Answering Shortest Path Distance Queries in Large Complex Networks (Presentation slides) (Thesis)

• M.S. in CS, LUMS, Pakistan
• B.S. in CS, FAST, Pakistan

Jingyu Shao

PhD (webpage) Thesis topic: Entity Resolution with Active Learning (Presentation slides) (Thesis)

• Master by Research, UTS, Australia
• B.Sc. in Automation, Beihang, China

MPhil Thesis topic: Exploring Shortest Paths on Large-Scale Networks (Presentation slides) (Thesis)

• B.Sc. in CS, HIT, China

Mojtaba Rezvani

PhD (webpage) Thesis topic: Community Structure in Large-Scale Complex Networks (Presentation slides) (Thesis)

• M.Sc. in CS, AUT, Iran
• B.Sc. in CS, UQ, Iran

Code released under the MIT License.

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Chapter writing

  A chapter is a discrete unit of a research report or thesis, and it needs to be able to be read as such.

Your examiners may read your thesis abstract, introduction and conclusion first, but then they may come back weeks later and read a chapter at random, or select one that they are interested in (Mullins & Kiley, 2002). This means that each chapter needs to be easy to read, without the reader having to reread the thesis' introduction to remember what it is about. At the same time, it needs to be clear how the chapter contributes to the development of your overall thesis argument. In the following pages you'll find advice on how to effectively plan and structure your chapters, commuicate and develop your argument with authority, and create clarity and cohesion within your chapters. 

Chapter structures

When it comes to structuring a chapter, a chapter should:

• have an introduction that indicates the chapter's argument / key message
• clearly address part of the thesis' overall research question/s or aim/s
• use a structure that persuades the reader of the argument 
• have a conclusion that sums up the chapter's contribution to the thesis and shows the link to the next chapter.

To make your chapter easy to read, an introduction, body and conclusion is needed. The introduction should give an overview of how the chapter contributes to your thesis. In a chapter introduction, it works well to explain how the chapter answers or contributes to the overall research question. That way, the reader is reminded of your thesis' purpose and they can understand why this chapter is relevant to it. Before writing, make an outline and show it to a friend or supervisor to test the persuasiveness of the chapter's structure.

The chapter's body should develop the key message logically and persuasively. The sequence of sections and ideas is important to developing a persuasive and clear argument. When outlining your chapter, carefully consider the order in which you will present the information. Ask yourself these questions. 

• Would it make your analysis clearer and more convincing to organise your chapter by themes rather than chronologically?
• If you were demonstrating why a particular case study contradicts extant theoretical literature, would it be better to organise the chapter into themes toshow how the case study relates to the literature in respect to each theme, rather than having a dense literature review at the beginning of the chapter?
• Is a brief literature review at the beginning of the chapter necessary and sufficient to establish the key ideas that the chapter's analysis develops?
• What is the best order to convince readers of your overall point? 

Our friend the Thesis Whisperer has written about writing  discussion chapters and discussion sections within chapters .

If used appropriately, subheadings can also be useful to help your reader to follow your line of argument, distinguish ideas and understand the key idea for each section. Subheadings should not be a substitute for flow or transitional sentences however. In general, substantive discussion should follow a subheading. Use your opening paragraph to a new section to introduce the key ideas that will be developed so that your readers do not get lost or are left wondering how the ideas build on what's already covered. How you connect the different sections of your paper is especially important in a long piece of writing like a chapter.

Paragraphing techniques are essential to develop a persuasive and coherent argument within your chapters. Each paragraph needs to present one main idea. Each paragraph needs to have a topic sentence and supporting evidence, and a final sentence that might summarise that idea, emphasise its significance, draw a conclusion or create a link to the next idea. Using language that shows the connections between ideas can be helpful for developing chapter  flow  and  cohesion .

As suggested in our  page on thesis structures , a good way to test out the persuasiveness and logic of your chapter is to talk it over with a friend or colleague. Try to explain the chapter's purpose and argument, and give your key reasons for your argument. Ask them whether it makes sense, or whether there are any ideas that weren't clear. If you find that you express your ideas differently and in a different order to how they're written down, consider whether it would better to revise your argument and adjust the structure to persuasively and more logically make your case in writing.

In sum, when you plan, write and edit your chapter, think about your reader and what they need in order to understand your argument.

• Have you stated your chapter's argument?
• Will a reader be able to identify how it contributes to the whole thesis' research question/s or aim/s?
• Does your chapter flow logically from one idea to the next, and is it convincing?
• Finally, does it have a conclusion that pulls the chapter's key points together and explains its connection to the next chapter?

These elements are central to helpfing your reader follow and be persuaded by your work.

• Mullins, G., & Kiley, M. (2002). 'It's a PhD, not a Nobel Prize': How experienced examiners assess research theses.  Studies in Higher Education ,  27 (4), 369-386. doi:10.1080/0307507022000011507

Reference documents

• Chapter diagram (PDF, 1.14 MB)
• Chapter template (DOCX, 66.58 KB)

Use contact details to request an alternative file format.

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