Digital inclusion of seniors with sensory loss
We aim to develop a digital literacy program that caters to the needs of seniors with sensory loss (vision and/or hearing loss) and enable its delivery by staff and volunteers from consumer groups and social enterprises.
Seniors with sensory loss (vision and/or hearing loss) access and use online information and services less than those without sensory deficits. As society advances towards a fully digital paradigm, these seniors face exclusion from vital aspects of daily life such as banking and shopping. Current programs in Australia that build the digital confidence and online safety of older adults do not address the challenges and needs of seniors with sensory loss.
Key details
- 20246879
- PhD
- Applications close on 30 April 2025
- Domestic
- Medicine and health, psychological sciences
- $38,500 p.a.
About the scholarship
This innovative project aims to close this growing digital divide, by adopting a participatory approach and developing a novel conceptual framework to guide the co-design and delivery of a bespoke digital literacy program that meets the needs and preferences of seniors with sensory loss.
The resulting digital inclusion tools and resources will be embedded into existing services offered by seven partner organisations who are community-based charities, social enterprises and small business, thereby ensuring long-term adoption of study findings and uptake on a national scale.
This Australian-first project will help ensure that seniors with sensory loss can maintain independent living, reducing residential numbers and leading to substantial government cost savings.
The PhD student along with the Project Coordinator will be responsible for all day-to-day activities related to the project including:
- recruiting participants
- conducting interviews
- analysing interview transcripts
- developing the study database
- analysing the quantitative data
- assisting in upskilling of partner organisation staff and volunteers to be digital mentors
- writing up research findings.
The PhD student will be located within the Public Health and Policy pillar at Macquarie University Hearing, and be in the field of medicine, public health, psychology and/or allied health.
Availability
This scholarship is available to eligible candidates to undertake a direct entry three-year PhD program.
Components
The scholarship comprises:
- a tuition fee offset/scholarship
- a living allowance stipend.
The value of each stipend scholarship is $38,500 per annum (full time, indexed) for three years.