Multilevel network approaches to incentivise sustainable adaptation in the Murray Darling Basin

Summary

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This PhD project funded by the One Basin Cooperative Research Centre  (One Basin CRC) explores leveraging landholder and institutional networks to better target intervention programs and policies for farmers' adaptation to a future with less water in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Research Area:

Network science, Agricultural adaptation, Incentive programs

Supervisor

Associate Professor Petr Matous.

Research location

Project Management

Synopsis

The PhD project aims to investigate ways to utilise landholder and institutional networks to improve the targeting of intervention programs and policies for farmers adapting to reduced water availability in the Murray-Darling Basin. The research will build on multidisciplinary expertise in network science, human geography, and economic incentives. It will explore the influence of farmers' social networks on their decisions to adopt or avoid recommended adaptation actions, and examine how these networks can reinforce or block interventions from higher institutional levels. The project will also investigate the impacts of incentives in agricultural sustainability transitions, considering potential crowding-out effects on pro-social and pro-environmental behaviors. By incorporating relational considerations and multilevel networks into agricultural incentive research and extension practice, the study aims to inform climate adaptation interventions, increase their organic scaling potential, and mitigate risks of damaging community social fabric.

This PhD opportunity offers a unique chance to contribute to critical research on sustainable adaptation in the Murray-Darling Basin while developing valuable professional skills and networks in the water, agriculture, and environmental sectors.

Research Methodology:

Network analysis Social science research methods Economic incentive analysis

Offering:

A scholarship for upto 4-year, including a 6-month funded industry internship or equivalent part-time employment. 
The opportunity provides a flexible funding package with a stipend of upto $51,300 per annum and additional operational costs, in addition to opportunities for travel, including potential international conferences.

Successful candidates:

• Must have a Bachelor's degree with first class honours (or equivalent), a Master's degree by research, or Master's degree by coursework with an independent research component such as a thesis, dissertation or research project with a minimum overall distinction average.
• Applicants who have completed components of network research, computational social science, or agricultural economics, or with cognate research or work experience will be favourably considered. 

How to apply:

To apply, please email Associate Professor Petr Matous the following:

• CV,
• Transcript

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Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3621

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