PhD research in environmental or energy justice / inequalities

The University of Birmingham invites applications for a PhD in environmental or energy justice/inequalities. Research proposals should focus on social equality and justice related to energy access and environmental issues. Topics may include energy poverty, renewable energy and social justice, and community governance. Funding opportunities are available for UK and EU applicants. This position is full-time and based in the United Kingdom.
Applications for PhD study are invited that develop proposals on topics connected to the intersection of social equality and / or social justice with issues of energy access, production and consumption, or with environmental issues broadly defined. Locations and case studies from a variety of contexts in the global North and South can be considered. Justice might be approached through issues of distribution, procedure and governance, capabilities, recognition of specific rights and needs, or other frameworks; or through political ecology lenses. Innovative qualitative or creative methods are particularly encouraged. Possible topics could include for example:

- age or gender dimensions of energy poverty / fuel poverty

- renewable energy development and social justice

- community governance of energy and environmental resources

- knowledge making and contested environments

- Creative approaches to communicating and narrating justice and injustice

Funding

UK and EU applicants may enter the competition for ESRC and / or AHRC scholarships at the University of Birmingham, depending on the specific research topic. A separate application is required for the funding competitions. Deadlines for these are in January (AHRC) and February (ESRC), and applicants interested in applying for such funding must contact the named supervisor and apply for PhD study at Birmingham well ahead of these deadlines. See:

http://www.midlands3cities.ac.uk/midlands-3-cities/funding/funding.aspx (AHRC)