Digital Deterrence: Exploring innovative social media interventions to curtail youth vaping

This project will aim to understand how pro-vaping content influences young people’s attitudes towards vaping and to develop a social media intervention to support vaping cessation using mixed methods approach (quantitative and qualitative). It will generate new knowledge aimed at mitigating the impact of pro-vaping contents.

More young people are now vaping despite growing evidence of health risks. Although Australia implemented strict measures to control access to nicotine-containing vaping products, youth vaping has continued to increase. In 2019 alone, one in 6 young Australians vaped in the past month, a worrying trend that has led to 4 parliamentary inquiries in Australia in just 6 years. The global efforts made to address youth vaping are hindered by the proliferation of pro-vaping content on social media platforms.

This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $35,000 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Earmarked scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of public health, epidemiology, statistics or data science would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of statistics/public health/epidemiology/data science and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of substance use or addiction is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 4, 2024. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 June, 2024 31 March, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Dr Carmen Lim (c.lim@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now