Game Changers: Reconceptualising stroke rehabilitation to increase participation, motivation and autonomy

About the project

Improve rehabilitation programs for stroke survivors

If you are keen on an exciting career in allied health and interested in developing novel rehabilitation programs for stroke survivors, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the IIMPACT in Health (IIMPACT) research concentration, in partnership with Bowls SA.

Rehabilitation is the front-line therapy for stroke recovery. However, community services are limited and many stroke survivors endure persistent disability.

Our project aims to re-shape stroke rehabilitation in the community by short-circuiting the link between community participation and rehabilitation. This could be a game changer for stroke rehabilitation.

Using lawn bowls as a model, the project will co-design and evaluate an innovative program to get people back into the activities they enjoy doing in the community. You will work directly with people who have experienced stroke to develop and test the program.

You will join IIMPACT, which is a supportive clinical research environment that comprises over 100 researchers working across a range of disabilities. The concentration has expertise across a range of research methodologies and skillsets that will provide additional support for this project.

IIMPACT has a strong track record for producing high quality HDR candidates who complete on time, successfully publish, receive competitive funding and are recognised through research awards. All necessary equipment, training and knowledge can be provided within the research environment. 

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will work closely with key stakeholders, including patients, clinicians and service providers of stroke rehabilitation in South Australia

There will be some travel required to meet with key partners, and to deliver and evaluate the program. 

Where you’ll be based

You will be based in IIMPACT in Health. Persistent pain, stroke recovery, persistent breathlessness, child health and the rural health inequity are now recognised as grand health challenges. They are multifactorial and complex. Solving them will require innovation, collaboration and whole of community involvement.

IIMPACT in Health brings together internationally renowned research groups intent on understanding and solving real-world problems and fast-tracking our discoveries to bring about effective and sustainable improvements in health outcomes. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $35,200 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. 

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our City East campus in the heart of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday, 4 June, 2025.