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Graduate research impact

From the moment they begin their PhD our students are set on making a real world impact. Read about their aspirations and inspiring research topics below.

Could gender equality boost the Indonesian economy?

PhD candidate Alamanda is using national labour data to examine whether closing the gender gap could strengthen Indonesia’s public finances.

Press under pressure: New study tackles threat to journalism

Monash Business School PhD candidate Ika Krismantari is investigating a question confronting democracies worldwide: can journalism survive when the business model that sustains it is under strain?

Targeting the blind spots in Australia’s energy system

The rapid uptake of renewable energy is exposing our energy grid to increased cybersecurity risk. Monash Business School PhD candidate Frederick Madriaga is working on ways to address that vulnerability.

Trust versus technology: Auditing in the age of artificial intelligence

As firms turn to AI to improve audit accuracy and efficiency, new research by Department of Accounting PhD student Nithara Godewatta examines how managers respond when algorithms challenge their expectations.

After the storm: Mobilising climate finance in the Pacific

When Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu in 2015, it destroyed communities and livelihoods. For Monash PhD candidate Corey Huber, it set him on a path to tackling one of the Pacific’s biggest climate challenges.

Bringing biopharma treatments to the patients in need

A friend’s battle with a debilitating disease inspired Shah Ali Riyad to uncover ways to close the gap between scientific discovery and patient access through bio-pharmacy.

The private-sector impact of public transparency

Monash Business School PhD candidate Jia Feng is mining US government contract data to reveal how government spending disclosures can tip the balance in the high-stakes world of mergers and acquisitions.

Mastering the leadership paradox: Knowing when to step in and when to step back

Should a good leader take charge or give their team autonomy? New research from Monash PhD candidate Xingyu (Sean) Feng reveals the best managers tailor their approach.

The cost of catastrophe: The hidden burden of energy poverty

Monash Business School PhD candidate Yitian Wang is uncovering the impact of extreme bushfires on household energy hardship, and why some families continue to struggle long after the headlines fade.

When politics is personal: How background influences behaviour

Monash Business School PhD candidate Tze Yong Tan is investigating how hometown ties affect political decisions - and what this reveals about the hidden forces shaping public policy.

Out of step: Why Australian tax residency rules need a rethink

Monash Business School lecturer and PhD candidate Swapna Verma is taking on nearly a century of Australian tax law, arguing it’s time to overhaul an outdated system that no longer reflects today’s globally mobile workforce.

Power and participation: Behind the screens of cooperative governance

New Monash Business School research explores how WhatsApp chats are quietly redrawing the lines of influence and inclusion in Indonesian cooperatives.

All roads lead to reform: Reimagining power in university leadership

Biripi man Auren Sol began his academic career studying ancient Rome. Now, he's redirecting his focus to the future to help embed Indigenous leadership at the highest levels of academia.

Can we trust the data? The researcher making uncertainty visible

Numbers don’t lie—but they don’t always tell the whole story. Zema Scholarship recipient Harriet Mason is investigating how data visuals shape our understanding and why seeing uncertainty is important.

Hidden triggers: How unexpected events fuel domestic violence

New research by Monash Business School PhD candidate Sara Hutchinson Tovar reveals a disturbing link between unforeseen circumstances and spikes in domestic abuse across the globe.

The cost of convenience: Are pre-filled returns a shortcut to tax evasion?

Monash Business School researcher Agustina Arumardi is challenging the belief that simplifying tax returns boosts compliance. Her study suggests pre-filled forms could actually be counterproductive.

Uncovering the hidden bias in disaster relief

When disaster strikes, it seems logical that the most vulnerable communities would receive the most financial support. A study of Australia’s Black Summer bushfires by Lihini de Silva, now Monash Business School PhD graduate, showed this isn’t always the case.

Silent achievers: Australia’s best-kept sustainability secret

Why are so many companies keeping their carbon-neutral achievements under wraps? A new study by Monash Business School PhD candidate Stephan Dua Modest has uncovered the reasons behind the surprising new ‘greenhushing’ trend.

Breathing new life into workplace wellbeing

Modern workplaces can be stressful. But PhD candidate Shawn Ashkanasy hopes to provide a counterbalance by tapping into one of the fundamentals of life – breath.

Game on: Harnessing fan rivalry as a force for good

We’ve all heard horror stories about football rivalry spiralling into violence, but PhD candidate Faisal Mahnashi is rewriting this narrative. His research tackles the issue head-on, offering a game plan to transform the cheers and jeers into a catalyst for change.

Say it like you mean it: Helping NGOs communicate with authenticity

Monash Business School Accounting PhD student Tirukumar Thiagarajah spends a lot of his time on numbers, but he knows the secret to building trust is all about the power of clear and authentic communication.

Circular solutions: ending the vicious cycle of waste

An industry veteran has shifted career gears in a bid to drive Australia’s transition to a circular economy. His focus? Empowering local councils to lead the charge.

Is renewable energy shrinking or widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor?

Rooftop solar panel installation is growing exponentially in Australia. But new research by Department of Economics PhD student Ha Chi is questioning how accessible new renewable energy sources really are for all Australians.

Bridging the gap: The quest for digital equity

For PhD student Xiang Yao, emerging technologies are exciting uncharted territory. His new research aims to ensure developing economies are not left behind.

Great expectations: How gender bias is limiting women in leadership

Are women leaders receiving the same support as their male counterparts? No, says PhD candidate Karryna Madison, whose insightful new research delves into how workplaces and individuals treat their leaders.

Crunching the numbers: How new research has revealed the hidden truth behind indexes

Indexes are supposed to make complex data easier to understand – but often all they do is raise more questions. But Monash Business School PhD student Sherry Zhang has found a way to not only improve them, but also unleash their power.

Decoding the crypto tax conundrum

Pioneering research by Monash Business School PhD student Yayan Riyanto promises to guide policymakers through the tricky terrain of tax compliance in the new financial frontier of cryptocurrency.

Unknown influences of life-and-death decisions

Giovanni Empel MD has gone from practising medicine to researching it. As a PhD student with our Centre for Health Economics, his work examined the factors influencing doctors’ decisions and the impact this has on the quality of healthcare they provide.

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