RMIT Centre for African Engagement (CAE) PhD Scholarships – A spatial governance modelling framework for enhancing vulnerable road-user safety in Sub-Saharan Africa

RMIT Centre for African Engagement (CAE) PhD Scholarships – A spatial governance modelling framework for enhancing vulnerable road-user safety in Sub-Saharan Africa

The CAE scholarships are funded by RMIT University to support Africans who want to conduct PhD research that contributes to the development of the African continent and/or issues relating to Africans in the diaspora.

These scholarships are open to citizens of any African country who want to pursue a PhD at RMIT. The scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded based on academic excellence and research potential to Africans.

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The scholarships provide tuition fees for a period of 3.5 years and a stipend of $35,886 per annum (2025 rate indexed annually)

One (1).

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

  • be a citizen of an African country
  • meet the minimum requirements for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program at RMIT. 

Details are available on the How to apply page.

This scholarship is supporting the project titled: "A Spatial Governance Modelling Framework for Enhancing Vulnerable Road-User Safety in Sub-Saharan Africa", which has specific eligibility requirements.

The ideal candidate should have:

  • strong analytical and quantitative skills, including spatial data analysis or GIS proficiency.
  • demonstrated knowledge in transport planning, road safety, or data-driven policy research.
  • experience with programming or modelling tools (Python, R, ArcGIS, or QGIS).
  • background in public policy, development studies, or urban systems relevant to African contexts.

Relevant academic qualifications: Master's degree (or equivalent) in transport engineering, data science, urban planning, geography, economics or related field.

14/12/2025

Scholarship applications must include evidence of contact with the proposed senior supervisor.Please contact Professor Nirajan Shiwakoti (nirajan.shiwakoti@rmit.edu.au) and submit the following documents:

  • a brief overview of your motivation and suitability for this PhD project.
  • a detailed CV including academic achievements and research experience.
  • academic certificates and transcripts.

Applicants that can demonstrate evidence of contact with the proposed senior supervisor can submit an application via the How to apply page

Application deadline is 14 December, 2025

This scholarship will support the project titled: "A Spatial Governance Modelling Framework for Enhancing Vulnerable Road-User Safety in Sub-Saharan Africa".

This project investigates vulnerable road-user (VRU) safety in Sub-Saharan Africa through a desktop-based spatial modelling and policy analysis approach. Despite the region's low motorisation rate, Africa records the world's highest road-traffic fatality rate, with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists accounting for nearly 40% of fatalities.

The study aims to develop a data-driven spatial risk and governance readiness model to help African transport agencies prioritise cost-effective road-safety interventions.Using publicly available datasets from the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP), the World Health Organization, OpenStreetMap, and national transport databases, the project will perform GIS-based crash-risk mapping, spatial correlation analysis, and regression modelling to identify VRU risk factors across selected African cities.

Complementary institutional data will be analysed to assess governance capacity and readiness for safety implementation. The integration of spatial risk modelling with institutional readiness indicators will produce a decision-support framework that highlights high-priority areas and the most suitable interventions (infrastructure, enforcement, education).

This research will generate evidence-based insights and tools that can guide policymakers, planners, and development agencies toward achieving safer urban mobility in Africa.

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