Ashleigh wins Endeavour Research Fellowship

PhD candidate Ashleigh Watson accepts a Gold Coast Association of Postgraduates Research Award from GCAP Communications Director Gazelle Taherzadeh.
PhD candidate Ashleigh Watson (right) accepts a Gold Coast Association of Postgraduates Research Award from GCAP Communications Director Gazelle Taherzadeh.

PhD candidate Ashleigh Watson has been awarded a prestigious Endeavour Research Fellowship to undertake research towards her doctorate at the University of London in 2017.

“I’m very excited to be working under the supervision of eminent sociologist Professor Les Back,’’ she said.

“It’s such a fantastic opportunity to internationalise the experience I’ve had at Griffith and extend my research and knowledge.

Ashleigh, who also completed a Bachelor of Communications majoring in creative writing and literature and media communications and honours degree at Griffith, said her PhD explored fiction as a form of sociological research.

“I’m interested in the role narrative plays in the social world as well as the role of narrative in sociological research.

“As part of this, I’m constructing a novel on the concept of “The Australian Way of Life’’ which will explore the dominant cultural narratives in our society.

“This fellowship will help develop my skills and really lift my research.”

The Australia Awards—Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships are the Australian Government’s competitive, merit-based scholarships and fellowships providing opportunities for Australians to undertake study, research or professional development overseas.

They build Australia’s reputation for excellence in the provision of education and research, support the internationalisation of the Australian higher education and research sectors and offer high-achieving Australians opportunities to increase their knowledge and expertise in their field. The Endeavour Research Fellowship has a total value of up to $24 500.