Australia’s Women Cartoonists

Project Information

Expressions of Interest are invited for a PhD project to be completed as part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) funded Discovery Grant ‘Cartoon Nation: Australian Editorial Cartooning – Past, Present, and Future’

The PhD project should be designed to explore aspects of the history of Australian cartooning as practiced by women and may focus on any period of Australian history.

This exciting project is a timely one, coming at an historic moment when the presidency of the Australian Cartoonists’ Association is held – for the first time – by a woman (Cathy Wilcox), and when women are among the nation’s most prominent practitioners (e.g. Fiona Katauskas, Megan Herbert). What role have past generations of women played in breaking into the notorious ‘boys’ club’ of cartooning? Which have been the most significant female talents to shape Australia’s tradition of cartooning? These questions and more will inform the first ever study to shed light on an untold aspect of the nation’s history.

Applicants should have a firm grounding, and relevant prior qualifications in, aspects of Australian history, media history, gender studies, and/or art history.

Projects will be supported by candidature at the University of New England, with co-supervision by the project team (across UNE, Monash, and Flinders universities).

The project will commence on 3 March 2025 (or the nearest possible date).

Funding Information

One successful candidate will be supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship, The RTP is valued at $32,192 per annum (2024) also includes a tuition fee off-set for all domestic Research Masters or PhD students. Please see the Conditions of Award for more information.

The successful candidate will also have access to financial and other support provided by the University of New England and the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

* $1000 per full time year (total $3000) for PhD Higher Degree Research (HDR) Funds available after Confirmation of Candidature.

* Up to $7500 Faculty Fieldwork Funding upon application (can apply once).

* Access to additional funds that are associated within the Australian Research Council (ARC) funding rules.

How to Apply

Expressions of Interest or queries should be made to the members of the project team:

Associate Professor Richard Scully (UNE): rscully@une.edu.au

Professor Robert Phiddian (Flinders): robert.phiddian@flinders.edu.au

Dr Stephanie Brookes (Monash): Stephanie.Brookes@monash.edu

A shortlist of applicants will be invited to submit a full research proposal and candidature and scholarship application. Scholarship and candidature applications can be submitted through AskUNE to the Graduate Research School.

Scholarship ID: S23-08