[Aqualist] PhD scholarship, Monash University

[Tim Barrows]

From: Meredith Orr <Meredith.Orr at arts.monash.edu.au>

Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS) Scheme 2005

A PhD scholarship is available at the School of Geography and Environmental 
Science, Monash University, from 2005 to research environmental dynamics on 
Mua Island, Torres Strait, with the aim of linking the human historical 
(archaeological) dimensions of Torres Strait environmental history with its 
natural (physical geographical) dimensions. Standard scholarship conditions 
and stipend apply, with tenure of up to 3.5 years for a doctoral student.

Project Title:  Environmental Dynamics on Mua island, Torres Strait

The PhD scholarship is available to research the history of island 
formation and landscape modification in Torres Strait.  The last 50,000 
years have seen New Guinea and Australia become linked by a land bridge, 
separated, linked and separated again as sea levels have fallen and risen 
with world glacial fluctuations (the ‘ice ages’ and the warm periods 
between them when polar ice caps largely melted).  During this period 
sedimentation regimes ­ processes of erosion and deposition ­ have also 
dramatically altered regional landscapes.  During this period of 
particularly dynamic landscape formation Indigenous peoples arrived, 
departed and during the last few thousand years permanently re-colonised 
the islands of Torres Strait.

This project aims to document the environmental history of Mua, today the 
largest permanently populated island in Torres Strait, so as to better 
understand its Indigenous history relative to opportunities and challenges 
caused by its dynamic environmental history.  When were the small 
resource-rich bays formed (when did they infill)?  What is the history of 
the sub-coastal dune systems?  When did the bordering reefs form?  This PhD 
research project will allow us to relate archaeological evidence for the 
colonisation of Torres Strait with its environmental history, including the 
regional history of resource availability and the short- and long-term 
environmental sustainability of human populations.

The project will be supervised by Dr Bruno David and Dr Meredith Orr at the 
School of Geography and Environmental Science.

Interested applicants should email their curriculum vitae to Dr Bruno David 
(Bruno.David at arts.monash.edu.au) by MONDAY 13th DECEMBER, 2004. Applicants 
must be contactable soon after this date.