Transforming Low-carbon Retrofit Policy in the UK’s Private Rented Sector

The UK is legally required to reach net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this, greenhouse gas emissions from homes will need to be dramatically reduced through the widespread installation of insulation, low-carbon heating and renewable energy technologies. The government has introduced multiple policy and funding initiatives to encourage the installation of such measures. However, these initiatives have often failed to meet stated targets. The private rented sector (PRS), comprising 20% of the UK housing stock, has proven especially challenging in this regard. Over half of all homes in England’s PRS fall below minimum energy efficiency targets, and nearly a quarter of all PRS households experience ‘fuel poverty’ whereby they are unable to heat their homes to an adequate level resulting in long-term harms to physical and mental health. Accelerating the installation of low-carbon measures PRS homes will be crucial for realizing net zero targets in an equitable and inclusive manner.

This studentship will address this pressing research need by addressing the following research question: What are the most effective policy interventions for accelerating the installation of low-carbon technologies in the private rented sector? Through multiple qualitative methods, the candidate will critically evaluate the design and implementation of low-carbon housing policies in the PRS. The research will involve comparative analysis of UK policies with international case studies that have been successful in improving energy efficiency in the PRS, to pinpoint key factors that determine policy success. The research will produce impactful findings that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and help ensure that people residing in the PRS are able to live in a warm and healthy home.

General Entry Requirements

Enthusiasm, independence, self-motivation, curiosity and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences are all distinctly advantageous qualities for a PhD. Applicants would normally be expected to hold a minimum of a UK Honours degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant degree course. However, applicants who have gained experience in relevant fields through non-traditional routes are strongly encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates who are in the first generation of their family to go to university, candidates who have been in care or who have been a young carer, and candidates from a low-income background.

Project specific criteria

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate interest in and knowledge of social science approaches to net zero transitions and/or housing retrofit, and be willing to engage with social science concepts such as energy justice, critical policy studies, and/or political ecology. Candidates will ideally have a background in a social science (e.g. Geography, Sociology and/or Policy Studies) and be able to demonstrate experience of / aptitude in qualitative data collection and analysis techniques.

Training and Research Environment

The successful candidate will join a thriving and supportive research environment within the Faculty of Health Innovation, Technology and Science at Liverpool John Moores University. You will be part of the Geography & Environmental Research Group, and the recently established Liverpool Research Institute for Climate & Sustainability. A Personal Development Programme will be devised by the candidate and supervisory team, with training opportunities accessible through the LJMU Researcher Development Programme.

The studentship will include a part-time placement with the Housing Retrofit team at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority during the second year of the PhD. This will form part of the project’s data collection, whilst providing first-hand training and experience of working in a policy setting.

Supervision

The project will be supervised by Dr Neil Simcock, Dr Emma Mulliner, Dr Sarah Percival and Prof Vida Maliene at Liverpool John Moores University.

The Faculty of Science and its three Schools: Biological & Environmental Sciences, Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, and Sports & Exercise Science, have dedicated Diversity and Inclusion (DI) Groups. The individual School Diversity & Inclusion Coordinators and the Faculty Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion lead collective action to promote and embed a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity. All Schools are awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze in recognition of their respective equality initiatives and action plans. Also, Schools have proactive diversity and inclusion groups that are aimed to support staff and students by addressing the inclusivity requirements that are unique to each School, in alignment with the LJMU Diversity & Inclusion policies. Applicants are invited to visit the Faculty of Science https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-science and follow the link to each School.