Transdisciplinary research for real-world impact
UQ’s Global Change Scholars Program was designed to cultivate future research leaders through a unique program focused on creative problem-solving, collaboration and research impact. Between 2017 and 2025, 204 PhD students from across the University’s Faculties and Institutes were part of a 12-month program designed to develop their expertise in transdisciplinary research.
The unique program enabled scholars to apply knowledge and skills outside of their area of expertise and respond to some of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. From 2021, a key feature of the program was a team-based placement during which scholars worked with an external partner to understand and respond to a real-world issue. Global Change Scholars authored 24 reports on issues related to environmental protection, social services, and the arts, among others. In 2024, the program won a UQ Award for Excellence in Industry Engagement in Graduate Research.
The program was discontinued in August 2025, reflecting the growing normalisation of placements within PhD programs nationally and within UQ’s internal Career Development Framework for researcher development.
Between 2021 and 2025 the UQ Graduate School worked with 13 public-sector and not-for-profit organisations.
Our partners were:
- BlueCare
- Cancer Council Queensland
- Commons Social Change Library
- CSIRO
- Healthy Land and Water
- Multicultural Australia
- Queensland Theatre
- Queensland Trust for Nature
- Remote Area Planning and Development Board
- Red Cross
- Trade and Investment Queensland
- World Wildlife Fund
- Y Queensland
Reports by Global Change Scholars teams have informed strategy at partner organisations and have provided evidence to support policy submissions.
Scholars have also presented findings at international conferences.
View industry reports via the Global Change Scholars Collection on UQ-eSpace.
Going forward, HDR students and industry partners can collaborate via the Research Student Placement Program.
Like the Global Change Scholars Program, this initiative connects organisations with emerging research talent to work on specific project for 60 days.
The key difference is that arrangements are with individual researchers, rather than teams.
To find out more about HDR placement opportunities, please contact the UQ Graduate School:
Email graduateschool@uq.edu.au
Phone +61 7 3346 0503
Meet our scholars
The 2024 Global Change Scholars Program included 27 PhD candidates drawn from across the University.
The candidates came from a range of research backgrounds and contributed their knowledge and expertise to the program.
Meet the candidates