What you'll investigate

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.

Scholarship package

The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship package consisting of:

Your research community

Principal supervisor

Dr Kylie Kerr

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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.

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Affiliation

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.

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Industry partner

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".

Visit the Bacchus Marsh Grammar website

How to apply

Applications close: Friday 23 January 2026, 11:59 pm AEDT

Step 1: Assess your eligibility

Eligibility

Before you apply, confirm you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• This opportunity is open to domestic applicants only.
• The eligibility criteria for the PhD program at ACU can be found in the Higher Degree Research Policy.
• The eligibility criteria for research scholarships can be found in the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.

Requirements

In addition to the eligibility criteria, the successful applicant should have:

• A strong interest in character education, values formation, moral philosophy, educational philosophy, or the role of education in developing character, virtues, and good citizenship.
• A background in education, humanities, or a related social science discipline.
• Experience or interest in qualitative or mixed-methods educational research.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with school communities.

Conditions

By applying, you acknowledge and accept the following conditions:

• 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.
• The successful applicant will be required to assign their intellectual property (IP) to ACU as a condition of enrolment.

Step 2: Express your interest

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Kylie Kerr prior to applying for the PhD program and scholarship, to express their interest and discuss the project in detail.

Email: kylie.kerr@acu.edu.au

Step 3: Submit your application

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:

• A CV outlining relevant academic and practical experience; and
• A cover letter detailing demonstrated interest and/or experience in the program of research described.

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".