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Australian Catholic University (ACU) is offering two full-time PhD scholarships to undertake research into the night of the late ancient world as part of an ARC-funded project.
Successful applicants will work on the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project, Night Vision in the Late Ancient Mediterranean.
The Night Vision project aims to create a new history of the wakeful nighttime in the late ancient Mediterranean world, using both literary and material sources.
The project has three key themes:
Possible disciplines for the PhD scholarship include:
Students working in other disciplines are welcome to contact us to discuss the possibilities.
| Study mode | Full-time for up to 3.5 years |
|---|---|
| Location |
ACU Melbourne campus. Applicants who would like to work from another ACU campus should contact us to discuss the options. |
| Places available | Two |
| Commencing | 2026 |
| Supervisor |
Principal supervisor Associate Professor Kylie Crabbe or Dr Sarah Gador-Whyte The research team also includes: Chief Investigators
Partner Investigators
|
| Faculty |
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy Research at ACU's Faculty of Theology and Philosophy explores fundamental questions of meaning, ethics, and belief through rigorous scholarship and critical inquiry. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, our researchers engage with contemporary issues in theology, philosophy, and religious studies to foster dialogue, deepen understanding, and contribute to the common good. |
| Research group |
Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry The Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry (IRCI) is ACU's flagship institute for theology, philosophy, and related areas of history and literature. IRCI Programs include Biblical and Early Christian Studies, Premodern Belief, Philosophy, and Religion and Theology. IRCI research in these areas contributes to the University's ranking of 28th in the world in theology, divinity, and religious studies (QS 2024) and its placement as 1st in Australia and 20th worldwide for proportion of papers in the world top 10% cited in the Social Sciences and Humanities (Leiden CWTS 2024). IRCI is networked to leading universities to support research projects and doctoral training, including through joint degrees. Global Seminars at ACU's Rome Campus gather leading experts to engage in innovative research, enrich postgraduate research experience, and promote the fruitful exchange of ideas. IRCI also partners with cultural institutions, and church, education, health, and policy sectors to benefit society. |
| Industry Partner/s |
This ARC Discovery Project involves industry partnerships with partners from the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums sector: Stromlo Observatory, Museums Victoria, ANU Classics Museum, and the Ian Potter Museum. Students will have opportunities to gain experience working directly with industry partners. |
| Scholarship package |
The successful applicant will be awarded a scholarship package consisting of:
International candidates will also receive:
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: Open until awarded
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 "Late Ancient Night".
Interested candidates should contact Dr Sarah Gador-Whyte 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.
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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