Including community re-use and repair groups in circular economy digitalisation.
Community re-use and repair groups (e.g. informal freecycling groups, pop-up repair or re-use events) help citizens to extend the lifetimes of their products, fostering an inclusive ‘circular economy’ by slowing cycles of consumption, and therefore reducing emissions and waste.
New digital tools introduced by policymakers, such as Digital Product Passports, are designed primarily for businesses. Policy documents suggest that due to their informal or non-profit status, community re-use and repair groups will be excluded from full circular economy data. Their needs have been overlooked in research and policy on emerging circular economy tech – including platforms, and AI.
???? The PhD project seeks to address this gap, e.g. by undertaking participatory research with re-use and repair groups to bring their unique needs and novel insights into design and policy.
Additional headlines:
* To be based at ARU’s Global Sustainability Institute (Cambridge campus), which has an international reputation for interdisciplinary, action-focussed Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) research for sustainable societies.
* Part of a wider cohort of Social Science PhDs across the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University, with access to training across institutions.
* Open to applicants from a wide range of disciplinary/professional backgrounds (including but not limited to colleagues in sustainability, transitions / transformations, participatory / critical design, HCI, STS, media / comms).
* 3.5 year tax-free annual stipend at the UKRI rate of £19,237, plus fees paid for UK-based applicants. Those applying from elsewhere will need to secure additional funding to cover fees (further info. available).
* Can be taken up full-time (3.5 yr) or part-time over a longer period. Emphasis on widening participation: applicants can flag up relevant considerations (e.g. caring responsibilities, or health needs).
* Candidates are supported to undertake a 3-month Innovation Fellowship as part of the studentship.
* We will also be holding a MS Teams online drop-in session on Monday November 4, at 12-1pm UK time; please email us to register for this. We will have guidance documents available to help you put your application together.
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