Climate change impacts on major sporting events

The University of Manchester is offering a project to assess climate change impacts on major sporting events, focusing on heat stress affecting athletes and fans. The study will explore modifications needed for stadia and event scheduling due to rising temperatures. Applicants should have a relevant degree and are encouraged to discuss funding options. The deadline for applications is February 28th.
This project will assess the impact of increasing global temperatures on the viability of major sporting events. It will investigate how climate change may radically reshape the sporting calendar and require modifications to stadia using novel modelling applications of climate data . Heatwaves of a few degrees above the long term mean already cause discomfort, hospital admissions and even deaths. Couple this with the local heat island effect of tens of thousands of people in a stadium and the potential outcome is a disaster. This project will investigate major sporting events and the likely impact of heat stress. Such events include the Summer Olympics, Summer Paralympics, Football World Cup and Cricket World Cups. Organisers of such events must consider the impact of temperatures on both the athletes competing and the fans watching. Furthermore, several sports have a dynamic playing surface that reacts to ambient conditions, which may restrict events to locations or times of year. During a heat wave the fans – including very young and old, and people with health conditions - will be exposed to high temperatures with limited access to shade or water. This aspect of the project will focus on where heat stress is likely to influence fans attending an event and the adaptations organisers will have to implement. Many of these issues can be solved with sufficient application of space cooling, stadium redesign and changing playing times/dates. The project will also consider the carbon emission, costs and social aspects of these solutions The athletes are instead in peak physical condition with support from a dedicated coaching and medical team. Their concerns are likely to be performance related. Higher heat and humidity make sweating a less effective method of heat dissipation for athletes. EligibilityApplicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.FundingAt Manchester we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers applying for competition and self-funded projects.For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for. Faculty funding scholarships are available (President’s Doctoral Scholarship or Dean’s Doctoral scholarship). The deadline is 28th February. Please discuss funding options with your supervisor. Before you apply We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.How to applyApply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425 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 qualificationsInterim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progressCVSupporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).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 FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk. 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).