The School of Environmental and Natural Sciences at Bangor University are delighted to offer a fully funded Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (ESRC DTP) studentship in the Environmental Planning Pathway starting in October 2025, open to UK and International applicants.
Deadline: 12 noon 5th May 2025 (UK Time).
Project description: Temperate rainforest is a globally rare habitat, represented in Wales by isolated remnants of the “Celtic rainforest”. It is species rich and stores substantial carbon. An innovative carbon financed project led by the Wildlife Trusts, in partnership with Aviva, aims to restore this habitat to benefit biodiversity and sequester carbon, while working closely with local communities.
The Wildlife Trusts intend their project to act as an exemplar of “nature-based solutions to climate change”, and to influence other land managers to increase tree cover. However, many farmers are sceptical of expanding tree cover and there are concerns about the potential effects on local communities and cultural heritage from the change in land use and reduction of agricultural production. As a result, controversy has surrounded landscape restoration projects and the sale of agricultural land for carbon offset forestry. Achieving a just transition to net zero has challenges, therefore, for both procedural and distributive justice, whilst the ambition for net zero is understood differently between stakeholders. There are tensions between the interests and preferences of private landowners, local communities and wider national or global society. We will use this project as an exemplar to better understand these tensions, and how these can be mitigated or mediated by project design, governance and communication. The PhD will contribute to debates about environmental governance and justice in the context of global C21st challenges.
This PhD aims to evaluate the Wildlife Trust’s restoration of the Celtic rainforest as a model for wider afforestation and habitat restoration across the UK uplands, in a manner that is embraced by rural communities. Research questions might include: “What are the costs and benefits of habitat restoration from public and private perspectives, is it financially and economically viable, given different policy scenarios?”, “Using insights from the behaviour change literature, how can this information be communicated to stakeholders?”, “What model(s) of governance allow the incorporation of local and national stakeholders’ preferences into habitat restoration projects on private land, to enable the negotiation and accommodation of different values and preferences and support equitable management?”
This fully funded studentship is part of the ESRC Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences and is a collaboration between Bangor University and The Wildlife Trusts. The student will be based in Bangor’s thriving Conservation Science Research Group, part of the Conservation and Restoration of Resilient Ecosystems Research Theme. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Wildlife Trusts across their Celtic rainforest sites.
Supervisors:
- Dr Sophie Wynne-Jones s.wynne-jones@bangor.ac.uk
- Prof Julia Jones julia.jones@bangor.ac.uk
- Dr Neal Hockley n.hockley@bangor.ac.uk
- Dr Ruth Swetnam rswetnam@wildlifetrusts.org
PhD start date: 1st October 2025
Essential Criteria:
- Honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters (or equivalent, Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply).
- Strong intellectual ability and curiosity
- Excellent project management skills, ability to take the initiative.
- Excellent communications skills in written and spoken English.
- Resilience, readiness to solve problems and work independently.
- Ability to work in a project that spans different stakeholders, cultures and languages and willingness to contribute to a collaborative research endeavour.
Desirable Criteria:
- Ability to speak Welsh
- Experience of conducting social research and field work in rural areas of the UK.
- Knowledge of statistical analysis R.
Location: The post is based at Bangor University, UK, with some time working with partners at The Wildlife Trusts, and will involve field work in Wales (and possibly at sites in England and Scotland). It cannot be undertaken remotely.
Duration of study: The duration of study varies from 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or part time equivalent). The duration study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs of the student which will be assessed by completing a Development Needs Analysis. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.
Research in practice placement: All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.
International Eligibility: WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements. International candidates should be aware that they may need to cover relocation costs (e.g. visa and NHS surcharge).
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Assessment: Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to prepare a short presentation on a task (which will be communicated with the notification of interview, no later than the 9th May) and answer a series of panel questions.
Interviews will be conducted during the week commencing 12th May.
How to apply:
Applications should be received no later than 12 noon 5th May 2025 including all required documents. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications should be submitted by email to s.wynne-jones@bangor.ac.uk copying envirowgsss@bangor.ac.uk. Please give your email the subject line WGSS collaborative PhD application (Celtic Rainforest)
Please include the following documents with your application:
- WGSSS Application Form
- Academic CV (two pages maximum)
- 2 academic or professional references (candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths).
- Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable)
- If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)
Funding:
The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £20,780) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant. If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.