Organisation/Company: Swansea University
Department: Central Research
Field: Geography
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 11 Dec 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 35
Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2025
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Geography / Environmental Planning: Fully Funded ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) PhD Studentship in the Environmental Planning pathway
Environmental planning examines the spatial dimensions and decision-making processes for the sustainable management of relationships within and between natural and human systems. This interdisciplinary PhD training pathway bridges social and natural environmental sciences. It focuses on key environmental challenges, and their manifestation in Wales, the UK and globally, reflecting current policy challenges for Welsh and UK governments in the environmental sector. Major concerns include but are not limited to: impacts and management of climate change; local and regional environmental quality; conservation management; and post-Brexit environmental legislation.
The Department of Geography at Swansea is a vibrant and dynamic place for interdisciplinary doctoral studies. Our academics have a long history of successfully training PhD students for careers in the public, private, and third sectors, as well as in academia. Our staff have a wide range of expertise central to this pathway including quantifying and mitigating climate change, landscape carbon dynamics, flood management, pollution, environmental hazard management, wildfire mitigation, environmental archaeology, GIS and remote sensing applications, and cultural, urban, political, and economic geography.
As part of the ESRC supported Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences, the Environmental Planning pathway is founded on longstanding institutional links between Swansea University’s Department of Geography, Cardiff University’s School of Geography and Planning, Aberystwyth University’s Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Bangor University and the Countryside and Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire. The departments collaborate extensively in PhD supervision, externally-funded research projects and postgraduate training.
Training is provided through a coordinated programme of standalone and residential modules in quantitative and qualitative social science methods, and science communication and a cohort-building postgraduate conference with participation from across the pathway. Options for specialist training include GIS and spatial data analysis, advanced quantitative research in SPSS, transport modelling, calculating environmental footprints, living lab methodologies, conservation research, randomized response techniques, cost-benefit analysis, spatial economic modelling, and satellite and drone remote sensing.
Duration of study: The duration of study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs which will be assessed by completing an Initial Development Needs Analysis (Initial DNA) at the application stage and a Full DNA prior to award if successful. Duration of study may vary from 3.5-4.5 years, full-time (or part-time equivalent) dependent on your prior research experience. Swansea University, in conjunction with colleagues in the WGSS, will undertake an assessment of the successful applicant’s training needs and work with them to tailor the training they are offered to meet their research needs. This might take the form of a full master's course, or might be comprised of individual courses designed to enhance skills required for their chosen area of study.
Research in practice placement: All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3 months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.
To receive ESRC studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a master's from a UK academic research organisation. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.
Additional Information
The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £19,237 for 2024/25). Students also have access to a Research Training Support Grant, worth up to £940 per year.
Eligibility criteria: WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.
The WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.
Selection process
Please see our website for more information.
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