Qualification Type: PhD
Location: Colchester
Funding for: UK Students, Self-funded Students
Funding amount: Living costs stipend at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level per year. The stipend for 2024-25 is £19,237. The rate for 2025-26 TBA.
Hours: Full Time
Placed On: 21st November 2024
Closes: 7th February 2025
Reference: 11369 Business_Sociology Oct 2025
Project Overview
This is an opportunity to conduct fully funded interdisciplinary research under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex. This project explores the intersection of co-production, climate resilience, and accountability as a strategy to localise the global sustainable development agenda. As climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, it is crucial to develop localised, inclusive approaches that integrate local knowledge and address unique environmental and social challenges. Co-production, where multiple stakeholders collaborate—governments, citizens, NGOs, and businesses—offers a suitable framework for this purpose.
The project will explore how co-production can potentially strengthen community climate resilience by enabling participatory decision-making that reflect local priorities. A key focus will be on accountability mechanisms to ensure that all stakeholders, particularly marginalized groups, have an equal voice and that commitments are followed through at local, national, and international levels. The project will test the case for interdisciplinary collaboration in creating equitable, sustainable solutions to climate challenges at the community level.
It will analyse existing co-production frameworks, evaluate their effectiveness in building resilience, and identify areas for improvement in accountability. By aligning the principles of co-production with the need for climate resilience and stronger accountability, this study aims to provide actionable recommendations for public policies. These insights will help localize the sustainable development agenda, making it more effective in addressing climate change at the grassroots level.
Interdisciplinary Focus and Methods
The project integrates insights from public governance, community development and empowerment, and social accountability. By synthesizing environmental studies with participatory governance and socio-economic analysis, it addresses the complex dynamics of climate resilience. This approach bridges scientific understanding of climate impacts with social justice, ensuring that local voices are heard in decision-making. Parts of the project will utilize ethnographic methods to understand climate resilience in countries/regions most impacted by climate change in the Global South.
Person Specification
This opportunity is suited for candidates with a degree or background in social sciences, sustainability studies, public policy, governance, development studies, or any other related fields. It is not necessary for the candidate to have prior training in sociology, ethnography, participatory methods or interdisciplinary research as this will be provided on the programme.
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