Fully Funded AI & Democracy PhD Scholarship at the University of Canberra, Australia (2027)

Overview

The Centre for Deliberative Democracy (CDD) at the University of Canberra, Australia, is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD scholarship as part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA project “Smart Democracy: Fostering Democratic Agency in the Age of AI.”

Supervised by Associate Professor Hans Asenbaum, this prestigious doctoral opportunity allows candidates to pursue an independent research project while contributing to an internationally recognized research program exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming democratic participation.

The scholarship is open to both domestic and international applicants and provides a generous annual stipend along with relocation support for successful international candidates.

Scholarship Summary

Research Focus

Applicants will develop an original PhD project related to the intersection of artificial intelligence and democracy.

Potential research areas include:

• AI and democratic participation

• Democratic innovations

• Deliberative democracy

• Participatory democracy

• Social movements

• Political activism

• Radical democracy

• AI governance

• Digital politics

• Civic technology

Projects may adopt:

• Qualitative methods

• Quantitative methods

• Mixed-methods research

• Theoretical approaches

• Empirical research

The Centre particularly welcomes projects informed by:

• Critical Theory

• Phenomenology

• Feminist Theory

• Queer Theory

• Affect Theory

• Posthumanism

• New Materialism

• Assemblage Theory

What You’ll Do

The successful PhD candidate will:

• Conduct an independent doctoral research project.

• Contribute to the ARC DECRA project on AI and democracy.

• Participate in collaborative publications.

• Support literature reviews and action research activities.

• Work closely with leading researchers in deliberative democracy.

• Engage actively in seminars, workshops, and Centre activities.

The doctoral thesis may be completed either as a traditional monograph or as a thesis by publication.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should:

• Be eligible for admission to a PhD program at the University of Canberra.

• Hold either:

  • a Bachelor’s degree with First Class or Upper Second Class Honours, or

  • a Master’s degree with a substantial research component.

• Demonstrate strong academic achievement and research potential.

• Be willing to relocate to Canberra and participate fully in the Centre’s research activities.

• Meet the University’s English language requirements.

Both domestic and international applicants are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• AUD $40,000 annual tax-free stipend (indexed yearly)

• 3.5 years of funding

• Relocation allowance for international students

• Opportunity to collaborate on an Australian Research Council (ARC) funded project

• Participation in collaborative publications

• Mentorship from internationally recognized researchers

• Membership in one of the world’s leading research centres on deliberative democracy

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit a complete application package by 12:00 PM (AEST) on 14 August 2026 to [email protected].

Your application should include the following documents:

• Research Proposal (maximum 3 pages): Clearly outline your proposed research topic, its relevance to AI and democracy, research questions, theoretical framework, and methodology. The proposal should demonstrate a clear connection to the ARC DECRA project “Smart Democracy: Fostering Democratic Agency in the Age of AI” while maintaining an independent research focus.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Academic Transcripts for all completed tertiary qualifications.

• Writing Sample (up to 30 pages), such as a thesis chapter, journal article, research paper, or academic essay.

• One Letter of Recommendation, sent directly by your referee to [email protected].

• Names and Contact Details of Two Academic Referees (email address and phone number) who can comment on your academic performance, research potential, and suitability for doctoral study.

Applications will be evaluated through a competitive, merit-based selection process. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews on 1–2 September 2026, with final results expected on 21 September 2026.

About the Centre for Deliberative Democracy

The Centre for Deliberative Democracy (CDD) at the University of Canberra is internationally recognized for research on democratic innovation, participatory governance, democratic resilience, and civic engagement. Researchers at the Centre collaborate on interdisciplinary projects addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing democracy in the digital age.

Why You Should Apply

This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for graduates interested in combining:

• Artificial Intelligence

• Political Science

• Public Policy

• Democracy Studies

• Digital Governance

• Social Sciences

• Human-Computer Interaction

• Technology Ethics

If you are passionate about understanding how AI is reshaping democratic societies while conducting impactful interdisciplinary research, this fully funded PhD scholarship offers an outstanding academic environment and generous financial support.

Application Deadline

14 August 2026