PhD Scholarship in Communication and Navigation for Blind and Low Vision People
Explore multimodal communication and digital navigation technologies for blind and low vision individuals through video ethnography and community engagement.
Best for:Best for researchers with expertise in linguistics, multimodal communication, or related fields, who have experience in video ethnography and a strong commitment to inclusive technology and disability advocacy.
Overview
This PhD scholarship at Monash University focuses on investigating how blind and low vision individuals interact with digital navigation technologies. The project combines linguistic research, video ethnography, and multimodal communication to understand real-world navigational experiences. The successful candidate will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team exploring AI-driven orientation and mobility solutions, benefiting from structured supervision, fieldwork funding, and potential co-authorship opportunities. The role emphasizes community engagement, particularly with disability communities, and encourages applicants with lived experience of disability.
What you'll do
- Conduct detailed linguistic research on how blind and low vision individuals interact with digital navigational technologies.
- Use video ethnography and multimodal communication methods to explore real-world navigational experiences.
- Engage with blind and low vision communities through interviews and focus groups to gain insights into current experiences and desires.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team focused on AI-driven orientation and mobility solutions.
- Support fieldwork, transcription, travel, and conference attendance with access to project funding.
- Contribute to co-authored publications, community engagement exercises, and future grant applications.
- Work closely with supervisors in social science and inclusive technology to develop and execute research projects.
Requirements
Degree required: Australian or equivalent international Honours or Master’s degree in Linguistics, multimodal communication, or a related discipline, with a significant research component and first-class honours/H1 awarded.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English proficiency; specific requirements available at [Monash Graduate Research Application Process](https://arts.monash.edu/graduate-research/application-process/).
Instruction: English
- Proven experience in video ethnographic methods
- Strong academic track record in Linguistics or related fields
- Ability to effectively and respectfully engage with blind and low vision communities
- Experience in conducting interviews and focus groups
- Applicants must not already hold a PhD
- Full-time on-campus enrollment required
- Applicants encouraged with lived experience of disability
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-14 (Australia/Sydney)
Applicants must first discuss their research proposal with Dr Shimako Iwasaki. Submit a cover letter, research proposal, CV, academic records, English proficiency test results (if applicable), and two reference letters via Monash’s My.App portal. Ensure to select 'Admission Only' as the application type and indicate scholarship application for the specified PhD scholarship.
- Cover letter with a brief statement of suitability
- Research proposal aligned with project aims
- Curriculum Vitae including published works, conference presentations, and relevant work experience
- Full statement of academic records and degree certificates
- Scanned copies of certified academic documentation
- English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
- Names and contact details of 2 academic referees
Contact
Shimako Iwasaki· Supervisor
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