Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation and Griffith University Announce PhD Scholarships to Advance Youth Wellbeing Research

Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Griffith University to deliver two innovative PhD scholarships aimed at strengthening the evidence base for youth engagement and wellbeing programs.

These scholarships represent a significant investment in research that will inform policy, program design, and funding decisions for youth-focused initiatives across Australia.

The scholarships have been facilitated through a grant from the Earle Foundation.

About the Partnership

The collaboration between Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation and Griffith University underscores a shared commitment to improving outcomes for young people through rigorous, creative, and socially impactful research. Both scholarships will run for approximately three years.

PhD Scholarship 1: Social Return on Investment (SROI)

Hosted within Griffith University’s School of Human Services and Social Work, this PhD will develop an evidence-based framework for evaluating the economic and cultural return on investment of the Foundation’s youth engagement and wellbeing programs.

The candidate will:

• Apply and refine SROI methodologies to measure youth wellbeing outcomes.
• Integrate qualitative and quantitative data to capture both tangible and social impacts.
• Engage with stakeholders to map impact pathways and validate findings.

The findings will inform government and NGO funding decisions, improve program design, and advance policy discussions on preventative investment and value-based care.

Successful Candidate: Ms Jaclyn Chalmers

Jaclyn brings exceptional academic and professional expertise, including:

• Master of Human Services (Children, Youth & Families) and Master of Forensic Mental Health.
• Research background in community arts, youth work, and corrections, with a focus on wellbeing and resilience.
• Published work under review in leading journals and recipient of the 2025 Griffith Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Her commitment to participatory methods and ethical practice will ensure the research delivers meaningful insights for diverse and marginalised communities.

PhD Scholarship 2: Creative Arts Research Institute (CARI)

This scholarship invites a creative practitioner to co-design arts-led research methods that capture the social and cultural impact of the Foundation’s programs. Rather than traditional evaluation, the project will explore how creative practice – such as visual arts, music, design, storytelling, or performance – can both measure and make meaning in young people’s lives.

The project aims to:

• Develop practice-led methodologies reflecting young people’s lived experiences.
• Demonstrate how creative processes express wellbeing and social change.
• Inform future program design and policy influence.

Successful Candidate: Ms Debra Bryant

Debra brings a unique blend of academic, clinical, and creative expertise, including:

• Master of Mental Health (Art Therapy) and dual degrees in Education and Visual Arts.
• Professional experience as an Art Therapist specialising in trauma-informed practice with refugee and adolescent populations.
• Published research in the International Journal of Art Therapy and presentations at global conferences.

Her work will redefine how arts-based practice can illuminate pathways to youth wellbeing and inclusion.

Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation founder and CEO John Godwin said the Foundation has been delighted with the results and the increase in engagement and positive outlook demonstrated by participants from the various programs and looks forward to further demonstrating its effectiveness.

“This partnership with Griffith University represents a bold step forward in creating evidence-based, innovative approaches to youth wellbeing,” Godwin said.

“We are thrilled to support Jaclyn and Debra as they lead research that will shape the future of youth engagement programs.”

Onwards & Upwards is the Foundation’s flagship self-development program created to support young people and adults in need.

The programs are delivered with one-on-one mentoring and/or via an online learning platform to three main groups: young people facing challenges, emerging student leaders, and job seekers.

In 2025, the Foundation is delivering more than 80 programs across Queensland. 

For more information, visit: inspiringbrighterfutures.com
ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs 0419 828 440 [email protected]