Postgraduate research opportunities Climate change and globalisation: how important is economic integration in the fight against climate change?

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Key facts

  • Opens: Wednesday 11 January 2023
  • Deadline: Friday 31 March 2023
  • Number of places: 1
  • Duration: 36 months
  • Funding: Home fee, Stipend

Overview

The aim of this project is to combine a New Trade Theory model which exhibits increasing returns to scale (and hence gains from global integration and connectedness), with a standard Climate-Economy model, and use this model to answer policy relevant questions about the Climate Transition and the future of the global economy.
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Eligibility

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • A strong performance at master’s level where Economics is the primary focus, with the expected completion date of the master’s degree no later than September 2023, along with at least 2.1 performance, or the equivalent, in a relevant undergraduate degree.
  • An interest in applied economics analysis and modelling techniques, including programming skills.
  • A demonstrable aptitude to undertake research and develop into an independent researcher.
  • Other relevant experience or skills will also be considered so please highlight these in your application.
  • Strathclyde Business School is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive postgraduate research population. We make decisions on entry by assessing the whole person and not relying solely on academic achievements. On that basis, please ensure that your application (via your CV and covering letter) can evidence your resourcefulness, commitment and resilience as demonstrated by broader professional and life experiences. This evidence should be centred on your ability to undertake and complete a PhD and contribute to a positive PhD community.
  • If English isn't your first language, you'll need an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent with no individual element below 5.5.

Your application must include: 

  • A cover letter presenting your academic path, motivation for doing a PhD and fit with the advertised research project 
  • An updated curriculum vitae 
  • Details of two academic referees, including email addresses 
  • Academic transcripts, which must be certified copies 
THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner
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Project Details

This project looks at the intersection of climate change economics and international economics. Climate change is the defining issue of global economic policy for the 21st century. International economics is the study of global trade and economic integration, and New Trade Theory proposes many mechanisms via which gains from trade arise. Gains from trade imply benefits from large integrated economies: interconnections enable productivity, well-being, and the capacity to solve complex problems and deploy resources on a large scale. This boost to society’s capabilities that comes from global economic integration, is part of society’s ability to tackle climate change; and likewise, the impacts of climate change may affect global economic integration.

In this project we seek to explore this interaction. For example, the relationship between international trade and climate change might get into a vicious cycle: economic losses due to climate change might be accompanied by reduced trade. Lower trade volumes, in turn, further reduce economic activity and wealth. As a result, fewer resources to tackle climate change are available, thus further exacerbating climate damages. What is the magnitude of the additional losses from climate change when we consider this vicious cycle (or “multiplier effect”) as compared with standard climate economics which does not consider this mechanism?

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Funding details

Fully-funded scholarship for 3 years covers all university tuition fees (at UK level) and an annual tax-free stipend. International students are also eligible to apply, but they will need to find other funding sources to cover the difference between the home and international tuition fees. Exceptional international candidates may be provided funding for this difference. 

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Supervisors

Dr David Comerford

Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow
Economics

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Dr Gioele Figus

Senior Lecturer
Economics

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Number of places: 1

There will be a shortlisting and interview process.

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Economics

Programme: Economics

PhD
full-time
Start date: Oct 2023 - Sep 2024

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Contact us

For further details contact Dr David Comerford, david.comerford@strath.ac.uk.