The Donald Dyer Scholarship for public relations and
communication is the largest research scholarship available in Australia for
communication scholars and practitioners.
This Scholarship commemorates the outstanding contribution
of Donald Dyer MBE LFPRIA to the founding of the PRIA. The Donald Dyer
Scholarship was made possible by the generous bequest from the late Sylvia
Dyer, Donald’s wife, who in her own right contributed very significantly to the
work of PRIA and like Donald was conferred with Honorary Life Membership of the
institute.
Students commencing or in their first year of higher degree
research – namely Doctoral or Masters by Research studies – in the field of
public relations and/or communication are eligible to apply. Applicants would
normally be expected to hold a first class honours degree or equivalent in a
relevant discipline.
Applicants will be required to provide a curriculum vitae
and two-page written statement outlining:
- The
research to be undertaken as part of their higher degree.
- A
statement from the university where the scholar will study, confirming
that the applicant is eligible for a postgraduate research degree at that
university, and detailing the course of study and the research program.
- How
the research will make a significant contribution to the development of
the practice of the public relations profession.
- Career
goals and future plans
- How
the scholarship will help achieve their ambitions.
- Other
contributing evidence of the worthiness of the applicant may be drawn from
referee reports, publications, professional experience, research field,
communication skills, leadership potential and opportunities to interact
with related disciplines in developing and implementing the research.
The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:
- High
academic achievement
- Content
of the written statement
- Performance
at an interview
The scholarship may be awarded to more than one student in
any year, subject to the recommendation of the selection committee, and subject
to funds being available. (Having in mind that two or three students may
already be in the pipeline over two or three years.)
Should no suitable candidate apply then no scholarship will
be awarded and the funds carried forward to a subsequent year.
Recipients will be required to have membership of PRIA or to
take up membership. Scholars will be encouraged to attend PRIA and other
communication conventions, conferences and seminars.
Terms and Conditions:
The scholarship is available to an outstanding public
relations, corporate communication, or marketing communication scholar or
practitioner who is capable of making a significant contribution to the
development of the practice of the public relations profession. It is open to
Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia or eligible prospective
international students. Australian applicants will be favoured. International
students will be required to study on a fulltime basis.
Commencing higher degree research students – namely,
Doctoral or Masters by Research candidates – studying in the field of public
relations and/or communication are eligible to apply. Applicants would normally
be expected to hold a first class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant
discipline. Students may study fulltime, parttime or by distance mode.
With a stipend of up to $30,000, plus an additional annual
lump sum of up to $5,000 provided to cover costs such as research-related
expenses, conferences, overseas study, the Donald Dyer Scholarship is the
largest research scholarship available in Australia for communication scholars
and practitioners.
The value of the Scholarship will not exceed $30,000 per
year for a maximum of three years (for a full time student) with a six-month
extension for Doctorate of Philosophy candidates. The Scholarship will run for
two years for a Masters degree (full time). The annual lump sum of up to $5,000
PA be provided to cover costs such as research-related expenses, conferences,
overseas study and minor expenses as detailed in the scholar’s application. The
stipend is normally paid fortnightly.
The applicant will need to show evidence that he/she will be
accepted into an appropriate higher degree study program at an Australian
university which has programs accredited by the PRIA.
Continuation of the scholarship will be subject to continued
enrolment and satisfactory academic progress. Recipients will provide progress
reports during their studies and a final report at the completion of their
program.
At all speaking engagements and publications arising from
the scholarship, recipients will provide the following acknowledgement: “I/the
author acknowledge/s with gratitude the award of the Donald Dyer Scholarship
for supporting this research. The scholarship commemorates the outstanding
contribution of Donald Dyer to the founding of the Public Relations Institute
of Australia (PRIA) and advancement of the practice of public relations.”
