Global St Andrews and Macquarie Doctoral Scholarship - Philosophy

Project

Birthrates are declining in many high- and middle-income countries. As they fall below replacement rate, two effects are expected. First, the ratio of working age adults to retirees will fall, with implications for government programs—such as pensions—that rely on redistribution from young to old. Second, eventually, the country’s population will itself start to drop. In response to the challenges posed by demographic change, many countries are pursuing pro- natalist policies aimed at encouraging citizens to reproduce. These include expanded parental leave support, increased child benefit payments, expanded health care for parents and children, pro- marriage policies, and subsidies for fertility treatment and egg freezing.

In recent years, philosophers have raised many questions pertaining to the ethics of procreation. Some argue that procreation is always unethical because of the suffering that every human life includes. Others argue that it is unethical for individuals in wealthy countries to reproduce, given the enormous environmental footprint of each person. In view of prior and anticipated carbon emissions per person, they argue that adding to the population of wealthy countries is not sustainable. This Ph.D. project will address the question of how pro- and anti-natalist views about individual procreative acts relate to pro-natalist government policies. Possible topics for exploration include:

(i) The relationship between the ethics of individual procreation and the ethics of government policy. If it is unethical for individuals in high-income countries to reproduce, does that mean that policies incentivizing procreation are unethical or unjust? What difference does it make if the environmental effects of procreation depend on other government policies (e.g., policies to accelerate societal transition to “net zero”)? Should individual states prioritise their own national survival or prosperity, even if doing so makes matters worse for other countries? (ii) The right to reproductive autonomy in the context of climate crisis. It is widely accepted that individuals have negative rights against some forms of state interference in their reproductive plans and activities and debated whether they have positive claims against the state for assistance in reproducing. Does the environmental impact of procreation make any difference to what a right to procreative autonomy entails? How should states reconcile their obligations to ensure access to reproductive health care (SDG 3) with their obligations to ensure sustainable consumption (SDG 12) and combat climate change (SDG 13)? (iii) The relevance of immigration policy to pro-natalist policies. Would pro-immigration policies be ethically preferable to encouraging procreation? Or would they be equally problematic, since—among other effects—they would lead existing people to live higher emission lives?

The project will be managed jointly between the Department of Philosophy at St Andrews and the Department of Philosophy at Macquarie. The student will be supervised by Dr Joseph Millum (St Andrews) and by Dr Mianna Lotz (Macquarie).

Informal enquiries regarding this scholarship may be addressed to Dr. Millum (jrm39@st-andrews.ac.uk) or Dr. Lotz (mianna.lotz@mq.edu.au).

Value of award (per year)

The funding comprises a scholarship equivalent of a full-fees award and stipend for a period of up to 3.5 years. It is expected that the student will spend half of the scholarship term at the University of St Andrews and half at Macquarie University:

• For the period spent at the University of St Andrews, the scholarship will comprise a full fees award and a stipend paid at the current UK Research Council rate (£19,237 each year in 2024–2025)

• For the period spent at Macquarie University, the scholarship will comprise a stipend at an annual rate of AUD $38,500 (tax exempt, 2025 rate), paid pro-rata. A tuition fee scholarship will be granted for the period of joint enrolment up to 42 months. Macquarie University will also provide an airfare allowance for flights between Scotland and Australia up to a maximum value of $4,000 AUD to be arranged in accordance with the University’s travel policy.

Unless otherwise specified, the scholarships do not cover:

• Any continuation, extension, or resubmission period/fees.
• A research training grant or another equivalent award for research expenses.
• Support for travel, immigration, health insurance and related charges between the partner institutions.

Duration of award

Up to 3.5 years. The student will be expected to spend approximately half of the award term at the University of St Andrews and half at Macquarie University. The successful candidate will be expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the award term. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.

Additional criteria

Admission and scholarship criteria of both universities must be met.

Applicants must not already (i) hold a doctoral degree; or (ii) be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews, Macquarie University, or another institution.

How to apply

Submit an application to Dr. Millum and Dr. Lotz. Applications should include the following documents:

• CV including information about publications
• Transcripts of any relevant degrees
• Names and contact information of two academic referees
• Statement of suitability as a candidate for the project (max 500 words)
• Writing sample of up to 4000 words

Applications for a scholarship will be assessed jointly by the co-supervisors. Following a successful application for the scholarship, candidates may be invited by the co-supervisors to submit an application to each university for admission into the program and award of the scholarship.

Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for this Global doctoral scholarship (Lotz-Millum). Applications should be submitted to the co-supervisors via email to: Dr Joseph Millum (jrm39@st-andrews.ac.uk) and Dr. Mianna Lotz (mianna.lotz@mq.edu.au) cc-ing gr.globalprograms@mq.edu.au

Please contact us should you have any questions regarding the scholarship: pgscholarships@st-andrews.ac.uk or gr.globalprograms@mq.edu.au

Next steps

Successful scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for admission to both universities from mid-January 2025, and then formal outcomes of the position will be made, subject to provision of full application details and materials for entry to the programme on 27 September 2025 (for St Andrews starts) or 1 October 2025 (for Macquarie starts).

Successful scholarship applicants must meet all relevant entry requirements for admission including any immigration requirements that may be in place. Please see the advice on applying for research degree programmes at St Andrews and the PhD application guidelines at Macquarie.

Terms and conditions

Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions (opens in new tab).

These are applicable during the St Andrews duration of the award; please consult the partner institution for their terms and conditions relating to scholarships.

When will I know the outcome?

By mid-January 2025. Awards are subject to final signatures of contracts between the parties and successful admission to both institutions.