Understanding Spatial Inequalities: Mechanisms and Implications

Social and economic inequality is multidimensional and the interplay across dimensions can both exacerbate the impact of inequality on wellbeing and complicate our understanding of its causes. This multidimensional nature of inequality is one of the most striking features of contemporary society. Yet, quantitative evidence on the causes and impacts of these different dimensions of inequality, including spatial inequality, is sparse in Australia. With the emergence of newly available administrative data on health, housing, and income – there are opportunities for researchers to quantify the driving mechanisms and impacts of these inequalities in Australia. In the first instance, we invite HDR proposals on spatial inequality that address any of the following through an economic lens:

the impact of spatial inequalities on wellbeing and health
living conditions, health and wellbeing
housing markets and youth wellbeing
measurement of spatial inequalities
geographic variation in health inequalities
income and longevity
housing markets, commuting and wellbeing

The PhD student will join an active group of researchers and will be embedded in the networks of the School of Economics and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course. The student will be directly supervised by:

Associate Professor Kadir Atalay, School of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), University of Sydney
Dr Rebecca Edwards, Senior Lecturer in the School of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), University of Sydney

The PhD project will be a theoretical and quantitative assessment of questions related to the above topics. Applicants with a strong applied econometrics or statistics background and a clear understanding of program evaluation techniques are encouraged to apply. An ideal candidate will have a masters or first-class honours in Economics and have proficiency in programming in at least one of the following programs: STATA, R, Matlab or Python. The PhD student will be based in Sydney.

Aim of the study

Our neighbourhoods, housing and housing conditions affect our wellbeing, health and life course, including our longevity and sometimes ultimate cause of death. Moreover, evidence suggests that inequalities, both spatial and socioeconomic, have long-lasting impacts on our individual wellbeing and that of our children. Consequently, it is important to understand the causes and consequences of spatial inequalities. The aim of this HDR project is to quantify and understand different dimensions of inequality in Australia. The primary focus will be on health inequalities and their interplay with the Australian health care system, housing markets and labour markets. Projects will utilise the latest Australian household and individual level survey and administrative data and econometric techniques to systematically examine these interrelationships.

Benefits

This project represents an opportunity to work with established scholars at the cutting-edge of economics. Assoc Prof. Atalay and Dr. Edwards publish in leading economic journals and have significant experience mentoring early career researchers. Our expertise extends from measurement of inequality to the fields of labour, health and applied economics more generally. Our recent research studies how housing shapes the experiences of individuals over the life-cycle, exploring the impact of housing on economic outcomes including health, household indebtedness, labour supply and broader measures of wellbeing. As part of our research agenda, we envisage developing an ARC Discovery Project on this research theme. Ideally, the PhD candidate will contribute to project and ensuing publications.

The School of Economics has a well-established reputation in applied research and received a rating of 4 in latest ERA round in “Field of Research: Economics”. The School provides a collaborative and supportive research environment which will aid in the completion of PhD project.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to take advantage of the resources and networks available in FASS, the School of Economics and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course.

PhD application criteria

Applicants are invited to submit a proposal for PhD research that aligns directly to this project.

Prospective candidates may qualify for direct entry into the PhD program if their research proposal (see above) is accepted and they satisfy at least one of the criteria listed below.

Bachelor's degree with first- or second-class honours in an appropriate area of study that includes a research thesis based on primary data not literature review
Master's degree by research in an appropriate area of study that includes a research thesis that draws on primary data
Master's degree by coursework, with a research thesis or dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words that draws on primary data not literature review, with a grade-point average of at least 80 per cent in the degree.
Demonstrated appropriate professional experience and alternative qualifications in the field of study.

For more information regarding applying for a PhD refer to the course details for Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences).

Please also refer to guidelines for preparing a research proposal.

Funding

A number of scholarships are available to support your studies.

Australian Government RTP Scholarship (Domestic)
Australian Government RTP Scholarship (International)
University of Sydney International Strategic Scholarship

These scholarships will provide a stipend allowance of $35,629 per annum for up to 3.5 years. Successful international students will also receive a tuition fee scholarship for up to 3.5 years.

For other scholarship opportunities refer to FASS Research Scholarships (Domestic) or FASS Research Scholarships (International).

Contact

For further details about the PhD project contact Associate Professor Kadir Atalay at kadir.atalay@sydney.edu.au.