The Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) is a world leader in sustainable development, bringing together experts from multiple fields of endeavour in world-leading interdisciplinary programs and centres of excellence. Research undertaken at MSDI has a practical or policy emphasis that is solution focused. MSDI offers you a stimulating, supportive and professional environment within which you can explore the issues relating to climate change and sustainability facing society today. Start of expanded content A PhD taken at the MSDI takes the form of the Monash Doctoral Program – a PhD for the 21st century. The program enables you to complete extensive, independent research on an agreed topic under the supervision of at least two expert academics, You will also undertake a series of professional development activities or coursework units that equip you with the skills needed to make an impact in academia, industry, government or the wider community. Your study will result in a research thesis or alternative approved output, which makes a valuable contribution to the current body of knowledge on your chosen topic. A Doctor of Philosophy involves the independent investigation of a research problem formulated in consultation with your supervisors. You will produce a research thesis of no more than 80,000 words (or alternative approved output). Your interdisciplinary research will be undertaken on topics associated with environmental, social and economic sustainability and climate change. You will be expected to approach the research from the perspective of two or more disciplines. This precludes research that is laboratory based. Along with the research component of the program, you will also be required to complete a series of professional development activities or coursework units relevant to your chosen research focus. These activities are designed to provide you with the skills needed to develop your professional skills and prepare you for a career beyond your degree. Areas of research The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program may be undertaken in any area of research offered by the institute which covers sustainability and climate change and all related topics. It is expected that the research will be multi-disciplinary, therefore you will be expected to bridge issues in at least two disciplines. The research approach will reflect the complexity of issues associated with sustainability and climate change, in terms of social, environmental, economic and governance aspects. While the institute can provide two supervisors, it is common for a second supervisor to be based in another Monash faculty. The Monash Sustainable Development Institute does not offer research in a single discipline of science, medicine or engineering, where laboratory experimental is the sole component of research.