The Discworld Foundation established by international bestselling author, the late Sir Terry Pratchett, has established a perpetual scholarship in his name through the University of South Australia. The Sir Terry Pratchett Memorial Scholarship, initially established as a Masters by Research fellowship, has been extended to fund a Doctor of Philosophy. It forms an important part of Pratchett's legacy beyond literature.
The candidate will be located at the University of South Australia with a primary supervisor and supervisory panel. During their candidature, they will spend several months at The Long Room Hub, Trinity College, Dublin where they will be acknowledged as a Visiting Scholar, before returning to complete their candidature in South Australia.
Applications for the next scholarship will open in 2027. Applications will be sought from proven high achievers for this prestigious scholarship in the areas of creative writing, literary studies, social theory, cultural studies, or visual studies where the research proposed is inspired by Sir Terry Pratchett’s work.
Eligibility
The Sir Terry Pratchett Memorial Scholarship is available to a commencing full-time Doctor of Philosophy candidate enrolled at the University of South Australia.
The recipient’s research field will be predominantly focused in the domain(s) relevant to and inspired by Sir Terry Pratchett’s work.
Areas of study may include, but are not limited to:
- Speculative fiction and/or genre
- Satire and its impact on societal identity
- Slavery or human rights studies
- Studies on catastrophe
- Transformative impact of telecommunications
- International relations
- Technological innovation and its impact on the labour market
- Global spread of mobilities
- Issues of identity and social transformation
Applicants may be an Australian Citizen‚ Permanent Resident or Student Visa holder. Prospective applicants must meet the University of South Australia’s normal entry and eligibility requirements to study a Doctor of Philosophy.
More details can be found at:
- Academic Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research
- How to Apply: Entry Requirements and Eligibility
Value
- Up to $32‚500 a year for a period of three years (with a possible 6-month extension), made in fortnightly stipend payments
- $5,000 per year for three years for project-related provisions
- $20,000 in total over the three-year candidature period for travel and accommodation-related costs for an international research trip including a research visit to the Long Room Hub
- Full fee waiver for the duration of the Doctor of Philosophy program (3 years full time)
PLEASE NOTE: Payments are subject to satisfactory academic performance and full-time enrolment. Recipients of the scholarship on an International Student Visa may be responsible for covering the additional associated costs of undertaking the Doctor of Philosophy and the visiting scholarship to The Long Room Hub.
How to apply and closing date
Closing date will be announced.
Contact
For enquiries about the scholarship, please contact Dr Jessica White, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and Literature (jessica.white2@unisa.edu.au).
For enquiries about studying a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of South Australia, please visit the Research Degrees website or phone +61 8 8302 5880 (option 1) or email research.degrees@unisa.edu.au.
