Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy

Faculty/School

Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Digital Media Research Centre

Design Lab

Supervisors

Professor Marcus Foth
Position
Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of CI, Education & Social Justice

External supervisors

  • Dr Sean Foley, BFPCA

Overview

The flight path design and community engagement practices associated with Brisbane Airport have long been criticised for prioritising profit over community wellbeing, leading to excessive aircraft noise pollution. These issues have now amounted to a federal Senate Inquiry and an investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

This PhD research project aims to explore the dynamics between Brisbane Airport and the affected residential communities across more than 220 suburbs, drawing inspiration from a similar study conducted into the social engineering practices of Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. By focusing on the flawed community engagement practices and the corporate decisions that exacerbate noise pollution, this project seeks to understand and support community resistance efforts.

Research activities

Prospective students will engage in a variety of innovative and impactful research activities, including:

  • conducting ethnographic fieldwork in communities affected by aircraft noise pollution in Brisbane
  • documenting the experiences, strategies, and narratives of local residents and advocacy groups
  • collaborating with community advocacy groups such as Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance to gather ethnographic data
  • investigating the legal and policy frameworks that govern aircraft noise pollution and community engagement in Australia
  • analysing the systematic state capture by corporate entities in the aviation industry in order to shape the discourse and policies around aircraft noise
  • developing detailed case studies on community resistance and the impact of noise pollution on quality of life, health and wellbeing.

Outcomes

The project aims to achieve several significant outcomes:

  • enhanced understanding of the impact of aircraft noise pollution on residential communities in Brisbane
  • empirical evidence on the effectiveness of community resistance strategies against corporate interests
  • policy recommendations for more effective, genuine and ethical community engagement practices in the context of major infrastructure development projects
  • empowerment of local communities through better access to information and tools for advocacy
  • a scalable framework for amplifying the voices of grassroots communities advocating for aircraft noise reductions and better community protections nationally.

Skills and experience

Ideal candidates should possess the following skills and experience:

  • a background in anthropology, political science, urban planning, community engagement, or a related field
  • experience with ethnographic research methods and community-based participatory action research
  • strong analytical skills and familiarity with qualitative data analysis
  • excellent communication and community engagement skills
  • a passion for environmental justice and community advocacy
  • ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including community groups and policymakers.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

Contact

Contact Professor Marcus Foth via email m.foth@qut.edu.au