We invite applications for a funded PhD to explore the global dynamics, governance, and environmental outcomes of forest-based carbon and biodiversity markets, focusing on climate justice, biodiversity, and the risks of transboundary spillovers.
As the global carbon market rapidly expands its implications for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and human wellbeing are under growing scrutiny.
While nature-based solutions such as tropical forest restoration offer vast potential to sequester carbon and deliver co-benefits, the cross-border nature of emerging carbon markets raises complex governance challenges.
International trade in forest-based carbon credits - ramping up due to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement - risks creating unintended social, environmental, and economic spillovers, including displacement of agriculture and biodiversity loss elsewhere.
At the same time, biodiversity markets are on the rise globally, making it a timely moment to pause and critically reflect on how these markets are expanding, what impacts they may generate, and how they can be governed to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes.
We invite applications for a fully funded PhD project that will explore and evaluate the global dynamics, governance, and environmental outcomes of transboundary forest-based carbon and biodiversity markets.
The successful candidate will contribute to a cutting-edge research agenda aiming to improve policy and practice for effective, and environmentally just nature-based market mechanisms.
PhD Scholarship details
Funding:
This scholarship is offered through Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship – Strategic Engagement Scheme
$37,440 per annum (2025 rate) indexed annually. For a PhD candidate, the living allowance scholarship is for 3.5 years, and the tuition fee scholarship is for 3.5 years. Scholarships also include up to $1,500 relocation allowance. Candidate must commence by 31 December 2025.
Supervisor: Brooke Williams
Available to: Domestic students
PhD
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant will need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria for admission.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should send an email expressing their interest along with scanned copies of their academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of their research interests and a proposal that specifically links them to the research project.
Please send the email expressing interest to brooke.williams@newcastle.edu.au by 5pm on 31 August 2025.