PhD Studentship: The Relationship between Legal and Economic Interventions for Effective Climate Adaptation Strategies

Project Overview This is an opportunity for a person from an underrepresented group to undertake a fully funded master’s degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD research degree under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex. Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply: Not already have a master’s degree And Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenan...

Opportunity details

Project Overview This is an opportunity for a person from an underrepresented group to undertake a fully funded master’s degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD research degree under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex. Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply: Not already have a master’s degree And Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies. And/or Be one of the following categories of ethnicity: Black African Black Caribbean Black Other Mixed – White and Black Caribbean Mixed – White and Black African Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other) The successful applicant would study an appropriate master’s degree, such as: LLM Law The subsequent PhD project would focus on the relationship between legal and economic interventions concerning climate change adaptation. Owing to the recognition that many countries and communities are needing to adapt rapidly to climate related events such as storms, flooding, sea-level rise, desertification, drought and crop failure there is now much greater pressure for legal and policy interventions. Many countries have framework laws that provide for adaptation but there are significant gaps in areas relating to financing, investment and infrastructure development. This means that there is an urgent need for more research relating to the law and policy that would contribute to effective climate change mitigation in that space. This project would undertake analysis in this field to contribute to the provision of practical and effective solutions. Interdisciplinar...

Eligibility

Project Overview This is an opportunity for a person from an underrepresented group to undertake a fully funded master’s degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD research degree under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex. Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply: Not already have a master’s degree And Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies. And/or Be one of the following categories of ethnicity: Black African Black Caribbean Black Other Mixed – White and Black Caribbean Mixed – White and Black African Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other) The successful applicant would study an appropriate master’s degree, such as: LLM Law The subsequent PhD project would focus on the relationship between legal and economic interventions concerning climate change adaptation. Person Specification This opportunity would suit a candidate with a degree/ background in law and the successful candidate will be expected to develop their knowledge of international environmental law.

Requirements

Project Overview This is an opportunity for a person from an underrepresented group to undertake a fully funded master’s degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD research degree under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex. Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply: Not already have a master’s degree And Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies. And/or Be one of the following categories of ethnicity: Black African Black Caribbean Black Other Mixed – White and Black Caribbean Mixed – White and Black African Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other) The successful applicant would study an appropriate master’s degree, such as: LLM Law The subsequent PhD project would focus on the relationship between legal and economic interventions concerning climate change adaptation. Person Specification This opportunity would suit a candidate with a degree/ background in law and the successful candidate will be expected to develop their knowledge of international environmental law.

Funding and benefits

Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students. Funding amount: £21,805 Living costs stipend at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level per year. The stipend for 2026-27 is £21,805.. Home tuition fee waiver. A research allowance of £10,000 (in total) to be spent on authorised research costs, for example supplies and equipment, fieldwork etc. Closing Date: 11:59 pm BST on Monday 14th September 2026

Required documents

Research Proposal

How to apply

Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply: Not already have a master’s degree And Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies. Research Proposal The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application.

Open the official application information

Verify the deadline and final conditions on the official provider page before submitting an application.