The Adelaide Graduate Research School (AGRS) and the Adelaide Park Lands Association are partnering to create an internship opportunity for a University of Adelaide PhD students, to contribute to a project 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. 

A research industry internship have been established by Adelaide Park Lands Association to provide a PhD student an opportunity to undertake research in the field(s) of social sciences, history, sociology, politics (EXPLORE and PROTECT project streams), 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 projects

Optimising water use in the Adelaide Park Lands

At present different areas of the Park Lands are treated differently in relation to water use.  There are various disparate sections that are:

• irrigated with water from Adelaide's regular domestic supply
• irrigated with water from the River Torrens
• irrigated with recycled water pumped from the North Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant via the Glenelg-Adelaide Pipeline (GAP); and
• not irrigated at all.

See the attached map at bottom of page, (irrigation biodiversity and vegetation.jpg) which also includes biodiversity areas and vegetation communities.  Undertake a project to analyse how and why these areas are all treated differently, and whether the current arrangements are optimal or could be improved.

Documenting cumulative Adelaide Park Lands losses, over time

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. If possible, the project could extend to predicting (based on past experience) which portions of the Adelaide Park Lands might be most at risk from future depredations, and why.

Expected research outcomes for the student 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.

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.  

Further Enquiries: Email hdr_internships@adelaide.edu.au