Ray Maher

Systems-based strategies for implementing sustainability in cities

Scholarship description This scholarship provides a top up of $8,000 per annum for 3 years. To be eligible, candidates must apply for and be awarded a living allowance scholarship (for example, UQ Graduate School Scholarship), bringing the annual scholarship to approximately $44,400 tax free. The supervisory team will work with you to refine your competitive application.

Round 1 closes: 17th Feb, 2025 Round 2 closes: 17th July, 2025

Supervisor: Dr Ray Maher

Associate supervisor: Prof Steven Kenway, A/Prof Pedro Fidelman

At least two PhD projects are offered aiming to identify and scale specific initiatives and leverage points that enhance urban sustainability initiatives that deliverhealthy waterways, decarbonisation, and liveabilitybenefits. By using a systems approach to examine globalbest practices, the project will explore and document successful urban sustainability initiatives. It will provide practical, evidence-based guidance that empowers influential actors within urban governance systems to drive impactful, scalable urban sustainability practices.

Project Aims

• Primary Objective: Identify leverage points within urban systems that enable the scaling and implementation of multi-benefit sustainability initiatives, achieving outcomes such as improved ecosystem health, decarbonisation, and enhanced liveability.
• Secondary Objective: Provide insights into the broader governance system, pinpointing areas where influential stakeholders can make impactful interventions that maximise sustainability outcomes across urban systems.

Key Components

• Case Study Identification and analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement for Implementation
• Systems Mapping and Methodology

Research environment This PhD project is supported by an interdisciplinary research environment at The University of Queensland (UQ), providing access to expertise and resources across urban sustainability and water systems.

Eligibility

You're eligible if you meet the entry requirements for a higher degree by research.

You must be in receipt of or apply for and be awarded a living allowance scholarship of at least the Research Training Program rate to be eligible for this scholarship. You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). You don't need to submit a separate scholarship application.

How to apply

Before submitting an application you should:

• check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• prepare your documentation
• contact Dr Ray Maher (r.maher@uq.edu.au) to discuss your suitability for this scholarship

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). You don't need to submit a separate scholarship application.

When you apply, please ensure that under the scholarships and collaborative study section you:

1. Select ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
2. Select 'I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'.
3. Select ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and type in ‘CITIES-MAHER’ in the 'Name of scholarship' field.

PhD top-up scholarship: Enhancing Urban Biodiversity Through Systems Analysis of Global Best Practices

Scholarship description This scholarship provides a top up of $8,000 per annum for 3 years. To be eligible, candidates must apply for and be awarded a living allowance scholarship (for example, UQ Graduate School Scholarship), bringing the annual scholarship to approximately $44,400 tax free. The supervisory team will work with you to refine your competitive application. Applications close: 17th Feb, 2025

Supervisor: Dr Ray Maher

Associate supervisor: Professor Richard Fuller, A/Prof Pedro Fidelman

Cities have a critical role in combating the global biodiversity crisis. This project aims to identify cities with higher-than-expected biodiversity, and analyse their success using a systems approach. By integrating quantitative analysis of global datasets with in-depth case studies, including stakeholder interviews and site visits, the research will reveal what governance models, infrastructure investments, and social practices drive success. The findings will inform actionable, context-specific recommendations for different stakeholder groups, including local governments, community organisations, and businesses, to enhance urban biodiversity worldwide.

Research Questions This project seeks to address the following key questions:

• Which cities globally exhibit the highest levels of biodiversity relative to what is typical given their natural (e.g. climate, local biomes) and social characteristics (e.g. levels of development, GDP)?
• Do these ‘urban biodiversity outliers’ share common characteristics, such as governance models, policy frameworks, or social norms, that enable their success?
• What specific policies, infrastructure investments, or practices have these outlier cities implemented to enhance biodiversity, either deliberately or otherwise?
• Who are the primary stakeholders driving these biodiversity successes (e.g. public entities, NGOs, private companies, community groups)?
• What lessons can be drawn for each major stakeholder group to enhance urban biodiversity in other cities, considering different contexts and capacities?

Eligibility

You're eligible if you meet the entry requirements for a higher degree by research.

You must be in receipt of or apply for and be awarded a living allowance scholarship of at least the Research Training Program rate to be eligible for this scholarship. You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). You don't need to submit a separate scholarship application.

How to apply

Before submitting an application you should:

• check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• prepare your documentation
• contact Dr Ray Maher (r.maher@uq.edu.au) to discuss your suitability for this scholarship

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). You don't need to submit a separate scholarship application.

When you apply, please ensure that under the scholarships and collaborative study section you:

1. Select ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
2. Select 'I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'.
3. Select ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and type in ‘BIODIVERSITY-MAHER’ in the 'Name of scholarship' field.