Super-low carbon live music: trialling new approaches to support sector transformation

Following the publication of the Tyndall Centre ‘super-low carbon live music roadmap’ (see http://www.tyndall.manchester.ac.uk/research/reports/), we are seeking a PhD candidate to expand the knowledge base on climate action in the live music sector. This project is interdisciplinary and will collaborate with industry colleagues on a range of innovative projects to explore different approaches to delivering significant emissions reductions and/or enhancing resilience. These are expected to include (but are not limited to): 

-a live music sector trade body and members of its sustainability working group

-Act 1.5 who are collaborating with a major UK city to support change through new licensing approaches

-a large transformative live music show held in 2024

The PhD will combine social-science informed analysis of existing and emerging practices and industry norms and the potential for these to be transformed and technical assessments of the energy, carbon and sustainability implications of different interventions/approaches. Therefore, candidates must be able to confidently combine these different elements to provide effective synthesised insight and recommendations. 

Project aims:

The purpose of the PhD is to explore the opportunities and barriers to change across the different industry projects noted above, exploring the constellations of actors, infrastructure, finance, power and regulation that underpin successes and failures in delivering change. 

Research objectives:

• Literature review of relevant existing interventions and approaches to transforming practices in the live music sector (including academic/theoretical literature and case study examples).

• Review of existing guidance, reporting, monitoring and evaluation in the sector.

• Build strong and productive relationships with the identified industry partners and beyond as necessary.

• Evaluation of specific interventions in practice – including technical energy/carbon, wider sustainability, business models, replicability/scalability and the relevant policy implications. 

• Explore the potential for wider transformation through stakeholder engagement e.g. interviews and workshops

• Develop robust recommendations for a range of stakeholders on accelerating and scaling changes to support transformation in the sector.

• Contribute to the academic literature on low carbon transformation.

The successful candidate will benefit from being part of both the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research (www.tyndall.ac.uk) and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformation (www.cast.ac.uk), two world-leading centres for interdisciplinary climate change research. The successful candidate will have access to unrivalled specialist expertise and opportunities to develop transferable skills and enhance their future employability. In addition, the University of Manchester offers an extensive training and development package to support the effective completion of a PhD.

Eligibility

Candidates should have a good first degree in a relevant subject with good written and analytical skills. Evidenced knowledge of the opportunities and challenges for sustainable live music touring is required. Candidates should have educational, project or work experience relating to decarbonisation and/or climate action interventions. A demonstrable ability to integrate diverse forms of information is essential. Whilst this PhD is hosted in the School of Engineering, we are an interdisciplinary team and candidates from the humanities, science and engineering disciplines are all encouraged to apply.

Candidates should have expertise and/or experience in at least two of the below areas:

Carbon accounting

Stakeholder engagement

Event/music management

Organisational change

Low carbon energy/logistics systems

Climate policy and regulation

Before you apply

Please contact Dr Chris Jones [email protected] to discuss the project before making a formal application. 

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-fap

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing [email protected].

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).