Graduate Research

Melbourne School of Design has an international reputation for excellence in graduate research. Our researchers are experienced scholars, leading debate and engaging with industry, policy-makers and the community towards real-world outcomes.

We carry out creative, fundamental and applied research projects into the past, present and future of our built and natural environments. Our research makes real and lasting impacts and critically informs the teaching of future generations of practitioners, researchers and designers. Our research is led by experts who are internationally recognised leaders in their fields, and through dynamic research units, centres and institutes embedded within the Faculty.

Explore more about Research Degrees at the University of Melbourne and our offerings in Architecture, Building and Planning.

PhD pathways to success

Our communities of practice support scholars with a creative practice and/or industry focus in their built environment doctoral research.

Creative practice research is actively supported at MSD. Design-led experimentation is complemented by creative and critical design theories and methodologies. A spectrum of interdisciplinary design and creative projects are supported, reflecting the diversity of disciplines that are accommodated in the Faculty. The supervision of doctoral students is grounded in our internationally recognised expertise across design, architecture, and heritage, landscape architecture and urban design, placemaking and indigenous knowledges, digital design and fabrication technologies.
Leader: Hélène Frichot

We also support and encourage projects that aim to address urgent challenges observed in society in close collaboration with industry. We welcome and support a variety of projects that can demonstrate formal engagement with key stakeholders from industry, government and/or profession to respond to a diverse range of challenges related to our built environment. These partnerships intend to advance knowledge in academia and practise through ambitious applied research frameworks that focus on the design, performance and experience of the built environment through its various scales and agents. This is suitable for PhD projects that have a formal partnership with a partner through implementation of funded research and/or placement.
Leader: Christhina Candido

Meet a few of our graduates

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Supporting your research

Supervision

Our graduate research supervisors, chairs and advisory committees support candidates through each stage of candidature, providing critical academic guidance to develop a successful thesis. Read more about our academic staff here.

Training and resources

Applicants can apply for scholarship funding to support their candidature. Read more about scholarship and award opportunities here.

We provide funding opportunities to help candidates to conduct research fieldwork and to share research findings at conferences. Our graduate researchers are part of our academic community and have access to excellent facilities including workspaces, computers and printing, meeting rooms, technical facilities and library infrastructure in our award-winning building.

Our candidates can access additional scholarly training and support in a range of research approaches, writing techniques and professional skills. We offer regular research seminars and reading groups and a renowned public lecture and events series.

Support

Our graduate research support team helps our graduate researchers from day 1 and throughout the whole of candidature. The team offers comprehensive support for graduate researchers throughout their candidature from enrolment and induction, through each milestone, and on to examination and completion. Current students can log-in to access our Graduate Research Community pages. Comprehensive information for all candidates is available on the University's Graduate Research Hub.

Research Students Association

Our thriving Research Students Association (RSA) is an independently run student group that supports and advocates for the needs of our Graduate Research cohort. The RSA hosts events and activities that promote an engaging and enriching experience.

The RSA proudly produces Oculus, a publication featuring work from the MSD's graduate research cohort.