The Adelaide Graduate Research School (AGRS) and the Adelaide Park Lands Association are partnering to create two internship opportunities for University of Adelaide PhD students, to contribute to projects that will raise public awareness of this essential green space. 

The Adelaide Park Lands Association is a non-profit community based organisation formed in 1987 to protect and preserve the world-unique, National Heritage-listed Park Lands that surround the City of Adelaide. Historically, the Park Lands have been an irresistible temptation to City and State Governments, which have, in places, alienated and despoiled the land. The encroachment of buildings, fences and bitumen has continued since 1837, and the Park Lands have been gradually whittled away, shrinking from 930 hectares to about 700 hectares. In the 21st century, losses have become more frequent with a constant stream of large buildings taking over sites that were once Open Green Public land. 

Three research industry internships have been established by Adelaide Park Lands Association to provide PhD students an opportunity to undertake research in the field(s) of social sciences, history, sociology, politics (EXPLORE and PROTECT project streams), media, video production, creative writing (INSPIRE), environment, sustainability and climate change industries, green urban futures (RESTORE). The successful candidates will undertake a minimum of 60 FTE business days of research and development with the organisation. The AGRS will support eligible students with a research internship scholarship (for 60 business days at the standard RTP rate). 

About the project

For a student interested in local history, heritage, social geography, mapping or similar, there is an opportunity to undertake research to help the organisation in accurately identifying losses from a selected section of the Adelaide Park Lands over time. Public campaigns and rallies wherever and whenever particular parts of the Park Lands are threatened. The aim is to undertake and document research to remain alert to current threats, as well as an informed understanding of the losses that have already occurred.

For a student interested in media production, there is an opportunity to undertake R&D activities into new and innovative forms of promotion, including through social media, for co-production of an authoritative documentary video, placing the Adelaide Park Lands in a world context. The aim is raising public awareness to attract support for the Park Lands and for the work of the Association (including promotion of the biennial Adelaide Park Lands Art Prize).

Expected research outcomes for students may include:

• Engaging in solving a real-world problem requiring a real solution
• Assisting the organisation in undertaking vital research activities to support their activities in the core streams of EXPLORE, INSPIRE, PROTECT and RESTORE
• Gaining professional industry experience

The selected applicant, their supervisor, and the Adelaide Park Lands Association will have the opportunity to discuss the nature of research and development activities and working arrangements post-selection.

Eligibility:  The PhD student must be:  

• within the first 18 months of their candidature,  
• willing to undertake the research internship for a minimum duration of 60 FTE business days,  
• making satisfactory progress, and  
• undertaking research in an area aligned with the proposed research internship project  

More information about University of Adelaide's Research Internships is available here: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduateresearch/industry-opportunities/researchinternships#additional-information  

Application Process:  To apply, please email the following documents to hdr_internships@adelaide.edu.au (HDR Internships Team) with the subject line – Adelaide Park Lands Internship:  

• Resume
• Cover Letter (of not more than 2 pages) outlining your interest in the internship and describing how your research area aligns with the proposed field of research internship.  

Anticipated internship start date: 27 February 2023

Further Enquiries: Email hdr_internships@adelaide.edu.au