Higher Degree by Research Application Portal

TitleHow Australian fathers shape the trajectory of their children's wellbeing
KeywordsPsychology, Parenting, Mental Health, Fathering, Masculinities
CategoriesPsychology, Parenting, Mental Health, Fathering, Masculinities
Project description

PhD project leveraging Australia's longitudinal data assets to generate contemporary and robust evidence of the impact of father involvement on the long-term wellbeing of Australian children. This project will generate nationally relevant evidence charting the impact of male caregiver involvement on child wellbeing across developmental stages. The following research questions will be addressed: 

(1) What is the longer-term impact of father involvement on the growth and development of child wellbeing in Australia?

(2) How might the patterns and quality of father involvement across key developmental stages impact children’s wellbeing in later life?

(3) What factors influence the impact of positive involvement of fathers on children’s wellbeing?

(4) How can our findings support targeted initiatives that promote positive father engagement?

The proposed PhD project may look at specific sub-populations of Australian fathers (e.g., single fathers or non-resident fathers).

Opportunity statusClosed
Open date17 Mar 2026
Close date24 Mar 2026
Funding source

This is an ARC funded stipend with UWA central top up.

- Top up of ARC funded PhD stipend, to $38,110 in 2026 ($5,898), $39,253 in 2027 ($7,041), and $40,431 in 2028 ($8,219), Total $21,158)

- a 6 month extension of ARC funded PhD stipend (an additional $20,822 in the final year 2028

Contact

Dr Vincent Mancini: vincent.mancini@thekids.org.au

Specific project requirement

n/a

Course typeDoctorates

Guidance