Environmental Planning: Fully Funded ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) Studentship in the Environmental Planning Pathway

Funding providers: ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) and Swansea University

Subject areas: Geography, coastal management, spatial planning, political science, environmental policy, conservation biology 

Project start date: 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Project supervisors: Dr Cai Ladd (First Supervisor), Dr Rhian Meara (Second Supervisor), Dr Emma McKinley (External Advisor)

This studentship is an ‘open’ award.  Applicants should consider approaching Dr Cai Ladd ([email protected]), before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity within the University and to discuss their draft application. Information on the research interests of our staff can be found on the Swansea University webpages. Short descriptions of each accredited pathway are available on the ESRC Wales DTP website.  

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Human Geography

Mode of study: Full or Part-time study is possible.

Project Title: Navigating the Politics of Cross-border Conservation of Coastal habitat (C3) 

Project description: 

Conservation and restoration of coastal habitat boosts flood protection, food security, and the wellbeing of communities. Unlike humans, coastlines do not abide by political jurisdictions. Coastal habitats are naturally dynamic, capable of expanding and contracting in response to both natural and human drivers that operate across scales of space and time. This dynamism challenges conservation planning, where rigid socio-political and flexible ecological borders intersect. Like the drivers of coastal change, socio-political borders also intersect local, national, and international scales, and may be more or less visible (such as ones between nations versus ones within communities). Understanding how coastal dynamics and socio-political borders positively and negatively affect coastal environmental planning remains an important research gap. 

This timely PhD project will identify bottlenecks to effective cross-border conservation planning of coastal habitat in the large estuaries that span national borders in the British Isles (namely the Scottish-English border [Solway Firth], Welsh-English border [Severn and Dee estuaries], and the Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland border [Carlingford Lough]) to support people and nature.

Research in practice placement: WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3 months in total. All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations. 

Eligibility

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. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.  

Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply. 

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. 

Applicants are reminded to submit all relevant documents (transcripts, supporting statement, etc.) by the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.  

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place in April 2024. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions consistent with previous practice on the pathway during the Wales DTP and guided by the WGSSS’s commitments on EDI. 

Interviews may be held in person but should also be available through Zoom/Teams for all students who wish to participate in that way.  

Most applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their interview within 10-12 weeks.