This PhD research opportunity focuses on understanding how renewable energy developments generate socio-economic value for local and regional communities, and how different approaches to community benefit design influence the scale, timing, and distribution of those impacts. You will investigate mechanisms such as community benefit funds, shared ownership models, revenue-sharing arrangements, and other policy-driven approaches used to distribute benefits from renewable electricity projects such as onshore wind and solar PV. Drawing on case studies from the UK and international markets, the research will apply socio-economic impact assessment methods, including social accounting matrix (SAM) modelling, to evaluate how different governance structures and benefit-sharing mechanisms influence job creation, economic activity, and long-term community outcomes.

The project will ultimately develop evidence-based frameworks and standardised metrics to support developers, policymakers, and communities in designing more effective and equitable approaches to sharing the benefits of renewable energy as part of a just energy transition.