Show Me
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is offering one co-funded full-time PhD scholarship package to undertake research on character education, values, and flourishing initiatives at Bacchus Marsh Grammar School in Victoria.
This project investigates the design, implementation, and impact of character education initiatives at Bacchus Marsh Grammar (BMG), with a focus on the school's core values and their expression through the humanities and broader curriculum. The candidate will explore how values-based education shapes student development, belonging, and civic responsibility, and how it aligns with contemporary philosophical and educational theories of virtue and character formation.
The PhD will be co-funded by ACU and Bacchus Marsh Grammar under the umbrella of their newly established 'Neal Institute of Character Education' (NICE) research partnership. Lead ACU researchers include Dr Kylie Kerr and Dr Jonathon Sargeant. The successful candidate will be supervised by the lead researchers and will work closely with the school, conducting fieldwork, and collaborating with teachers and school leaders. This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the theory and practice of character and values education in Australian schools.
| Study mode | Full-time for up to 3.5 years |
|---|---|
| Location | ACU Melbourne campus |
| Places available | One |
| Commencing | 2026 |
| Principal Supervisor | Dr Kylie Kerr |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Education and Arts Research at ACU's Faculty of Education and Arts explores the transformative power of learning, culture, and creativity. Through interdisciplinary inquiry in education, psychology, arts, and humanities, our researchers address social and cultural challenges, inform policy and practice, and contribute to a more inclusive and reflective society. |
| Research group/s |
National School of Education The National School of Education is a globally recognised leader in teacher education and educational research, offering a supportive and mission-driven environment for postgraduate study. Research students benefit from expert supervision, strong industry connections, and opportunities to make a real impact on educational practice and policy. |
| Industry partner/s |
Bacchus Marsh Grammar Bacchus Marsh Grammar is a large, vibrant school that serves the families of Western Melbourne and surrounding rural areas. It operates from two campuses: Maddingley in Bacchus Marsh and Woodlea in Aintree. These are supported by a third 200-acre property at Staughton Vale which is used by students from both main campuses. The school is committed to providing every student with a holistic and enriching education. This is based around a strong and challenging academic program, a concentration on personal development and culture, and supported by focused pastoral care and wellbeing programs. Bacchus Marsh Grammar seeks to enable students to meet their personal goals and ambitions. We encourage them to aspire to be active and positive members of society - in short, it offers an "Education for Life". |
| Scholarship package |
The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship package consisting of:
The scholarship package is subject to satisfactory progress and full-time study mode. The scholarship conditions align with the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy. |
Applications close: Friday 23 January 2026, 11:59 pm AEDT
In addition to the eligibility criteria, the successful applicant should have:
To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must submit all documentation required for an application to the PhD program at ACU, as detailed in the How to Apply instructions, plus:
When completing the PhD application form, please indicate that you are also applying for a stipend scholarship and include the name of this project "Character education and human flourishing at Bacchus Marsh Grammar".
Interested candidates should contact Dr Kylie Kerr before applying for the PhD program and scholarship.
As a research candidate at ACU, you will join a world-class research community ready to support you on your research journey.
Our researchers develop innovative solutions to issues impacting human dignity and the common good. Through interdisciplinary and collaborative research, they seek to enable people to develop intellectually, spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally, to enable flourishing lives, foster thriving communities and build an ethical future.
If you dream of working to solve the critical challenges we face in the world today, explore our research to discover why ACU is the place for you.
Explore our research(1) Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2025 (2) Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, ranked IFCU members (3) 2024 CWTS Leiden Rankings (4) Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, 2024
Explore our graduate research degrees, including the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and follow our step-by-step guide to apply.
Learn moreWork alongside leading researchers who will mentor and support you every step of the way. Browse our expert profiles to find the right supervisor for your goals.
Learn moreTake your research beyond your thesis. Partner with industry to tackle real-world challenges, boost your impact, and grow your professional network.
Learn moreOur scholarships do more than cover costs-they empower your research journey with tuition support, living allowances, and access to essential resources.
Learn more
Get in touch to learn more about graduate research at ACU
Email: grad.research@acu.edu.auContact us to explore how you could collaborate with our graduate researchers.
Email: grs.partnerships@acu.edu.au