The Bartholomew Reardon PhD Scholarship


The Bionic Ear Institute is a beneficiary of the estate of the late Bartholomew Reardon (see below). In recognition of the generosity of Bart Reardon and in line with our commitment to postgraduate learning in areas of study related to hearing research, the Institute has established a PhD scholarship in his name. The Bart Reardon PhD Scholarship provides funding toward the costs associated with PhD studies undertaken at an approved teaching university.

How to apply

As only one scholarship is offered at a time (approximately every 3 years), applicants should enquire with the HR Officer for lodgement dates.

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants are invited to first make contact with the Director's office in order to discuss opportunities. Applicants should then submit their application and the required documents to:

       Professor Robert Shepherd
       Director
       The Bionic Ear Institute
       384 Albert Street
       East Melbourne 3002

Your letter of application should identify a research topic that you would like to pursue and include the following documents:

  • An original birth certificate, birth extract or passport
  • Up to a 250 word research proposal
  • Certified copies of official academic transcripts for all tertiary studies undertaken
  • One written academic reference
  • Evidence of publications in refereed journals

Applications need to be lodged by 31 October (or nearest business day if the 31 st falls on a weekend), although applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before that date.

The next application date will be 31 October 2009.


Eligibility

To be considered, applicants must:

  • Have completed tertiary study equivalent to a 4 year Australian degree with the minimum result of Class 2A Honours and above
  • Plan to undertake or be currently enrolled in a fulltime PhD in an approved area of study related to hearing research

How the scholarship will be awarded:

Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit and demonstrated research potential. Short-listed applicants will participate in a selection interview.

Duration

The scholarship will be awarded for a maximum of 3 years (or 3.5 years if an extension is approved).

The commencement of the scholarship cannot be deferred to the following year.

Payment

Payment will commence once the student has a confirmed enrolment in an approved University course. Payment towards fees and/or living expenses will be made in accordance with the required University payment schedule and cheques will be made payable directly to the University.

Should the required tuition fees/living expenses exceed the amount of the scholarship, the applicant will need to meet the shortfall from their own funds.

Leave Arrangements

A student may apply for leave of absence in exceptional circumstances, or in circumstances beyond their control, of up to 6 months.

The Institute will not accept any liability for ongoing university fees/living expenses during a period of leave of absence.

The scholarship will cease if the student does not resume their studies at the end of the leave of absence or if they have not formally extended the leave.

Employment

A fulltime student may undertake part-time employment during the course of their scholarship. The Institute recommends that full time students restrict their paid employment to 8 hours per week.

Termination of Scholarship

Students must notify the Institute of any changes in their enrolment and other circumstances that may affect their eligibility to continue receiving the scholarship.

The scholarship will be terminated and payments will cease:

  • when the thesis is submitted
  • if the Institute determines that the student is guilty of serious misconduct
  • if the student does not resume study at the end of a period of leave;
  • upon the death, incapacity or withdrawal of the student from their PhD.

Student Obligations

Students are required to:

  • notify the Institute of any changes in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility to continue receiving their scholarship
  • apply themselves diligently and to the best of their ability to the successful completion of their PhD
  • provide an annual report to the Director's office
  • fulfill all the requirements of their enrolling university.

 

Bartholomew Reardon

11 February 1927 – 29 December 2003

Bartholomew (Bart) Francis Reardon was born in Bendigo in 1927. His family moved to Melbourne during the Depression, eventually settling in Essendon where Bart attended St Monica's School and Essendon Technical School .

Around the time World War 2 broke out in Europe , Bart started his working life at age 13 doing casual jobs in the flower markets where he first developed his interest in the florist industry. He joined the army as an 18-year-old and was posted to Darwin just as the war ended.

After a short time in the army, Bart married his childhood sweetheart Jess, and together they started their own florist business. Bart and Jess worked tirelessly together and developed many long-standing relationships with their customers. One of these customers had daughters who were deaf, and it was at this time that Bart first developed his interest in the treatment of deafness, particularly in children.

Bart and Jess sold their business in North Coburg in 1997 after working well beyond the normal retirement age. They had both clearly enjoyed their working life together and the interaction with their many customers.

Bart was a private man who was not too concerned about talking about himself. He led a simple life and was always more interested in the welfare of others. It was through his wide reading and the memory of the customer's daughters that he closely followed the work carried out by the Bionic Ear Institute. Bart was naturally very impressed with the development of the Bionic Ear and the results of the Institute's research.