The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Resources, Environment and Development (READ) is a two-year research-intensive program that will equip you with the theoretical understanding and research skills you need to contribute to the goals of economic viability, social acceptability, and environmental sustainability in different social and political contexts. Focus areas include biodiversity conservation, food security, climate change, social impacts, environmental governance, and managing primary resources such as water, fisheries, forests, and minerals. A wide range of elective courses from across ANU is also available.
Prospective candidates should please follow these steps.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
To be admitted to the program, you are required to have achieved:
(a) a degree of bachelor in a closely-related discipline, with an overall grade of distinction or higher, from an Australian university; or
(b) another qualification that the Delegated Authority is satisfied is equivalent or superior to a degree mentioned in paragraph (a); or
(c) a combination of qualifications and professional experience that the Delegated Authority is satisfied is equivalent or superior to a degree mentioned in paragraph (a).
Applications will have a bachelor degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline such as Anthropology, Economics, Development Studies, Biodiversity Conservation, Geography, Human Ecology, Policy Studies, Population Studies, Resource Management and Environmental Science, Sociology, Sustainability Science, Sustainable Development.
Applicants wishing to undertake an MPhil whose first language is not English are required to have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a score of no less than 6.0 in each individual band. All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.
Where relevant, students can apply for credit for some of the Part A courses in line with the Research Awards Rule 2021. Inquiries regarding the admission requirements and possible course credit may be addressed to the READ HDR Convenor.
Step 2: Look for possible supervisors.
Applicants must have a primary supervisor from READ and a second supervisor from READ or elsewhere in Crawford School. Please look through the READ Department academic list for potential supervisors. Secure emails from both confirming that they are willing to be a supervisor.
Step 3: Write the thesis proposal
All applicants should write a thesis proposal (maximum 8 pages) that includes the following information.
Title
A precise and informative description of the project.
Abstract
A summary of the proposed research that includes the key research question or hypothesis, the rationale for the research, the region under study, and the method to be employed in the research.
Aims & significance
A clearly focused statement of the overall purpose of the proposed research (i.e. why is it important?).
Research questions &/or hypotheses
The questions that the proposed research will address and/or the hypotheses that will be tested.
Literature review
Provide a preliminary review of the work that has been carried out in the field and the potential contributions of your research. Demonstrate that you are aware of the wider literature and that your proposed research engages with ongoing debates.
Methodology
The proposal should set out initial ideas for the proposed methods. You should discuss how these methods are appropriate for the proposed project and indicate the likely feasibility of the proposed approach. Also please explain what type of data will be required and how they are proposed to be collected.
Timetable
An indication of how the research will be carried out over the duration of a full-time candidature of up to 2 years.
Resources
An indication of the funding that will be required over the course of the candidature (such as for fieldwork) as well any special materials or training that may be necessary for the successful completi
Institutional fit
A statement on why the Resources Environment and Development Department is suitable for your project and an indication of potential supervisors.
References
A list of references cited in the proposal.
Step 4: Submit an expression of interest to potential supervisors
Before submitting an application for admission, you must submit an expression of interest by emailing the following documents to, at least, two potential supervisors:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- IELTS/TOEFL results (if applicable)
- Thesis proposal (7–8 pages)
Step 5: Make a formal application to ANU
- Provide contact details of a minimum of three referees (at least 2 must be academic)
- Have two confirmed academics willing to be your proposed supervisors. Both supervisors must be in the same research field and preferably the same program, READ. Secure emails from both confirming that they are willing to be your supervisor.
Once two supervisors who meet READ’s criteria have signed off on your proposal and confirmed by email their willingness to supervise you, you may then submit an online application. Also, be sure to include contact details of a minimum of three referees, two of whom must be academic. Your application will be assessed by Crawford’s HDR Committee within four- to- six weeks of submission.
Please contact the READ HDR Convenor and/or cap.hdr@anu.edu.eu, and see MPhil programs, for further information and advice.
Part A - Compulsory coursework requirement
Students in the Master of Philosophy Environmental Management and Development must successfully complete CRWF8900 Fostering Public Policy Research (0 units) and 12 units of courses consisting of:
- EMDV8102 Research Methods (6 Units)
- EMDV8008 Research Proposal (6 Units)
Part B – Supervised research and thesis
Candidates also undertake Part B of the program comprising a period of study normally equivalent to up to two years of full-time research. During this period, each candidate writes a thesis.
The final thesis should be no more than 60,000 words in length including footnotes and tables. When the thesis is complete, the thesis is examined by two outside examiners who are experts in the relevant field. The MPhil degree is awarded solely based on the examination of the research thesis.
During Part B, each candidate is expected to contribute regularly to seminars. Such contributions should include regular attendance, active involvement including constructive comments on the work of others and presenting at least once a year. All MPhil candidates are required to meet a number of progress milestones as specified for all ANU higher degree by research (HDR) candidates.