PhD Studentship: An Economic Analysis of the Influence of Extreme Weather Events on Lives and Futures of Young People of the Global South

Background

The aim of this project is to understand the past and potential future links between changes in extreme weather events and early adulthood employment outcomes of children in Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam. You will combine methodologies and data drawn from economics and climate science, to explore links between the occurrence and frequency of different types of extreme weather events and the life changing impacts they may have on children as they transition from young age to adulthood.

Research methodology

Drawing on the Young Lives (YL, https://www.younglives.org.uk/) and the international disaster database (https://www.emdat.be/) datasets and others, you will use regression analysis and machine learning methods to investigate (1) how (climate-related) negative economic shocks from age eight impact on employment and earnings at age 22; and (2) how changes in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather in these countries might exacerbate such effects. You will use state of the art projections of changes in future extreme weather events to estimate how these effects may change as the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events changes under climate change in the study countries. You will disseminate the findings within the countries in order to inform adaptation and mitigation policy making in the next decade. The findings will have strong potential for upscaling and application to other countries that face similar problems, thus contributing to the growth of climate resilience globally. 

Training

You will benefit from training in a variety of transferable skill-sets that will equip you with academic rigour and excellent communication skills, including econometric analysis, programming in a variety of languages, and communication skills. You will have access to post-graduate training programmes at UEA across schools (NBS, ENV and, DEV) and you will be embedded in interdisciplinary research clusters (Tyndall Centre and the Responsible Business Regulation group in NBS). 

Person specification

Strong first degree and master’s (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject (e.g. economics/ econometrics, data science, environmental science). Strong quantitative skills, experience of econometric/statistical analysis, and a commitment to working across disciplinary boundaries are essential.

This project is part of the Critical Decade for Climate Change PhD programme, please visit https://www.uea.ac.uk/climate/show-and-tell/leverhulme-doctoral-scholars-applicant-information for more information about the project and making an application.

Additional information

Funding

Successful candidates will be awarded 3 years, 8 months studentship covering tuition fees, a maintenance stipend (£18,622 per year in 2023/24) and funds to support the research project and associated training.

Applications are only open candidates who qualify for UK tuition fees.

Part-time studentship awards are subject to approval.

For more information about the ‘Critical Decade’ programme click here.

This project has been selected for the Critical Decade for Climate Change programme, funded by UEA and the Leverhulme Trust. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview, to be held early December 2023. 

Primary Supervisor: Dr Nicholas Vasilakos

Start date: 1^st February 2024.

For more information on this project, please visit www.uea.ac.uk

Funding Details

Source of funding: Leverhulme

Studentship length: 3 years, 8 months

Amount of funding:

• Fees: Standard UKRI rates
• Stipend: Standard UKRI rates

RTSG – To be confirmed

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