Postgraduate research opportunities SCDT (Strathclyde Centre for Doctoral Training) in Social Dimensions of Plastics: Communications, Behaviours & Social Change
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Thursday 17 November 2022
- Deadline: Friday 16 December 2022
- Number of places: 3
- Duration: 3.5 years
- Funding: Equipment costs, Home fee, Stipend
Overview
Technical solutions alone cannot solve the plastics crisis, public engagement and behaviour plays a key role. Influencing consumer behaviour is becoming a priority in global environmental policy as well as for business and industry who are seeking to bring about sustained changes and shape pro-environmental behaviours. We aim to train the next generation of interdisciplinary plastics pollution researchers and build a transformational hub of research capacity.Eligibility
You should have, or be expected to obtain, a first-class honours or 2:1 undergraduate degree and a master’s degree with distinction/merit in a relevant discipline of Communications, Media, Sociology, Journalism, Psychology, Behaviour Change.
Project Details
Successful applicant must be available to commence study on 1 March 2023
Further information
The creation of a SCDT dedicated to plastics research through the lens of social science and humanities is innovative and high profile. We anticipate that it will attract significant attention across industry and academic sectors, as well as media and public attention, thus engaging the research community in the UK as well as EU and overseas. Waste, circular economy and sustainability challenges lie at the heart of UKRI Challenge Led initiatives and require interdisciplinary approaches. Our partners include NERC, FSG Packaging, Wastebuster and we encourage applications from students with a background in Communications, Psychology, Journalism, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Environment Science. Within our broad theme of ‘Social Dimensions of Plastics’ we are open to a diversity of topics and methodologies. We are especially interested in supervising PhDs on: Gamification, behaviour change and reusables; Entertainment-Education and plastic pollution in children’s programming; Media and Microplastics; Plastics and the Pandemic.
You will be supported by world leading academics in Communications and Behaviour Change and have access to a wide range of international partner organisations which will allow for unique opportunities for secondments and real-world case study experience. We are seeking students with an entrepreneurial mind set who are receptive to working across traditional disciplinary boundaries
Funding details
Tuition Fee at Home Rate & UKRI Stipend Rate
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Supervisors
Professor Lesley Henderson
Professor Of Science Communication
Journalism, Media and Communication
Apply
Go to PhD Journalism, Media & Communication scroll down to ‘apply’ and select “Apply Now” between October 2022 – September 2023” – your start date will be 1 March 2023
In the Funding section of the application form, please write SCDT Plastics Scholarship
Preferred Supervisors select: Prof Lesley Henderson
Documents to be uploaded to your application include:
- 1000-word count research statement which outlines your background, suitability and fit with the project & future development aspirations
- 2-page CV, including your academic achievements & any professional experience relevant to this project
- Academic degrees and transcripts to date
- IELTS Academic Certificate within the past 2 years with an overall band score of 6.5 minimum and no individual score of less than 5.5, or equivalent if English is not your first language
Applicants selected for Interview will be notified by 21 December 2022
Interviews will be held week commencing 16 January 2023
Successful applicant must be available to start 1 March 2023.
Number of places: 3
To read how we process personal data, applicants can review our 'Privacy Notice for Student Applicants and Potential Applicants' on our Privacy notices' web page.
Contact us
For informal enquiries:
Lesley.henderson@strath.ac.uk (Communications, Media, Sociology, Journalism)
Paul.flowers@strath.ac.uk (Psychology, Behaviour change)