Please
find below a call for applicants for a fully funded PhD on offshore wind governance, here on our beautiful campus at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK). Unfortunately, due to funding restrictions funding is only available to
to applicants eligible for ‘Home’ fees status, including UK nationals and most EU nationals with ‘settled’
or ‘pre-settled’ status.
Best
wishes,
Pierre
--
PhD
project Winds of Change: A Comparative Approach to the Governance of Offshore Wind Developments
Supervisors:
Dr Pierre Bocquillon and Dr Jenny Fairbrass, University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK)
Leverhulme
Doctoral Scholarship Programme on the 'Critical
Decade for Climate Change'
ClimateUEA
is delighted to present a newly created PhD studentship award programme entitled Critical Decade for Climate Change Leverhulme Doctoral Scholars, directed by Professor Corinne Le Quéré and Deputy Director Dr Mark Tebboth.
Project
Overview
Offshore
wind is an increasingly mature technology that has a central role to play in the energy transition in the critical decade for climate change. Offshore
wind technologies have developed rapidly – including in the UK – as they offer large volumes of renewable electricity at competitive prices while being less subject to local opposition. Yet, they also require large infrastructure developments, conducive
policy and regulatory environments, and have often been contested on environmental, economic, or aesthetic grounds. The project will investigate the governance issues associated with offshore
wind (e.g. infrastructure siting, regulation, public participation) to better understand and navigate them. How have these challenges been addressed in different political and regulatory contexts? What lessons can be drawn for future developments?
Research methodology
The research will be comparative, including a case study of the East of England – a major area for offshore
wind in the UK – and in-depth analysis of other experiences from across the world, depending on your geographical interests and language skills. For that purpose, you will (a) collate and analyse (quantitatively and/or qualitatively) a new comparative
database of issues and stakeholder positions based on documentary analysis (including policy, business and media sources) and (b) undertake in-depth interviews with national and local stakeholders (energy companies, planning authorities, NGOs), elected representatives
and citizens.
Training
This PhD provides you with the opportunity to develop your skills in the collection of original social science data, documentary analysis and interviewing, scientific writing, and communicating research insights to academic and policy audiences. You will receive
relevant research training through UEA DTPs and advanced training at specialised methods schools (e.g. Essex). You will be associated with the world leading Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the interdisciplinary Centre for Competition Policy,
which has an extensive track record of research and engagement on energy policy and regulation.
Person specification
You will have a demonstrable interest in energy and climate politics and policy-making; a degree in Politics, Business, Geography, Sociology or equivalent subjects; experience in independent qualitative/quantitative empirical research (e.g. through completion
of a dissertation); and would like to join a dynamic interdisciplinary team.
Entry Requirements
Acceptable first degree in Politics, Business, Geography, Sociology or equivalent subjects. The standard minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in a relevant field.
Funding
This project has been shortlisted for funding by the Critical Decade for Climate Change programme, which will award PhD studentship funding from the Leverhulme Trust and UEA’s Faculties of Social Sciences and Science.
Successful candidates will be awarded a PhD studentship that pays tuition fees, a stipend (£17,668 p.a. for 2022/23), and funding to support research costs. Studentship funding is only available to applicants eligible for ‘Home’ fees status, including UK nationals
and most EU nationals with ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status.
Important details:
Application deadline – 18th January 2023
Location: University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Start Date: October 2023
Mode of Study: Full-time or Part-time