Two PhD research scholarships are offered to highly motivated candidates to work with an experienced team of researchers addressing LGBTI experiences of cancer survivorship and care. The project is funded through an ARC Linkage Project grant in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), New South Wales Cancer Council (NSWCC), CanTeen, National LGBTI Health Alliance, ACON, and Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

Sexuality and gender diverse communities represent an ‘ignored epidemic’ and a ‘growing and medically underserved population’ in cancer care. Such communities experience a disproportionate cancer burden, and face unique psychosocial challenges, gaps in patient-provider communication and lower satisfaction with cancer care. However, there is insufficient knowledge about the healthcare needs, outcomes, and lived experiences to improve outcomes for LGBTI populations. This interdisciplinary project will address this gap in research through understanding the complex intersection of gender, sexual identity, age, and other categories of difference, in relation to the cancer survivorship and care experiences of LGBTI individuals, using a mixed method design (survey, interview, photovoice). We will ascertain barriers and facilitators to the delivery of culturally competent cancer communication and care to LGBTI patients through an audit of guidelines and resources, and via the perspective of service providers. Implementation of these findings will result in tailored support materials for LGBTI survivors and carers, and Australian LGBTI cancer best practice and policy recommendations.

The PhD candidates will have the opportunity to focus on their own area of interest within the ‘Out with Cancer’ project. We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, including psychology, sociology, social sciences, public health, and other relevant disciplines. In particular, the project is suitable for candidates with interests in LGBTI health, cancer survivorship and care and the use of mixed methods or qualitative methods, including creative visual methodologies.

The successful applicant should:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen.
• hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following: (i) Australian or New Zealand Bachelor (Honours Class 1 or Class 2.1) degree, (ii) coursework master’s with at least 25% research component, (iii) research master’s degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications.

Full details of the scholarships and application forms are available on the Western Sydney University website.

For further information, contact Professor Jane Ussher (thri@westernsydney.edu.au) to discuss your eligibility, the project and your intention to apply. Applications should be sent to grs.scholarships@westernsydney.edu.au by 31 October 2018.