PhD Studentship: Improving environmental sustainability in healthcare – exploring the contribution of bottom-up networks for change

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student who will undertake original research at Nottingham University Business School. 

This PhD will contribute to improving the environmental sustainability of healthcare by examining the impact of bottom-up communities and networks promoting change. Healthcare accounts for approximately 5% of the UKs total carbon emissions, and significant activity is underway to identify and promote approaches to reduce the environment impact of the sector. Ongoing research within Nottingham University Business School is examining the impact of this work within the social, organisational and policy context of the National Health Service. The PhD research will focus on how bottom-up networks are involved in promoting change. In recent years, numerous networks of clinicians, researchers, patients and activists have formed around environmental sustainability in healthcare; in many instances these span multiple professional groups and organisations. Further research is now needed to consider how these networks are working to bring about change in practice. It is anticipated that this will require a qualitative or mixed methods approach, and the successful candidate will have significant scope to define the project during the first year of study in line with their own research background and interests. 

Applications are sought from people with either a social science master’s level degree with a research component, or those with strong research skills, including qualitative research, and knowledge of the social environment of healthcare. In either case, the PhD will benefit from the high—quality post-graduate research development and training environment of the University of Nottingham.  This PhD scholarship is offered in collaboration with the UKRI funded transdisciplinary hub to decarbonise commissioning and delivery of healthcare, and the student will be supported from academics involved in the transdisciplinary hub. 

The full scholarship covers home student tuition fees of £5,006 and a yearly stipend of £20,780 and is for a period of three years to commence on 1^st October 2025.

How to apply

Applicants should have:

• A 2.1 or higher honours degree in a social science, and
• A master's degree which includes a substantial research element, with a score of 65% or above in the taught modules and 65% or above in the dissertation.

Complete the PhD Programme online application.   Your application must include a brief research proposal for your approach to the topic outlined above. This should cover research design, aims and methods for your proposed research, in no more than 800 words.   

In addition, please also enclose the following with your application form:

• Transcripts of all your academic qualifications. If you have not completed your master's degree yet, you should include a transcript of the marks received to date. Any offer is conditional upon achieving the required standard.
• 2 academic references.
• English language test result if English is not your first language.

Entry onto our PhD programme is extremely competitive and, in addition to the above admissions requirements, depends on:

• The quality of your research proposal. 
• The fit of your research area with potential supervisors.
• References, and 
• Your personal statement.

Once your PhD programme online application has been submitted you must email li-nubs-phd-support@nottingham.ac.uk to indicate you would like to be considered for this scholarship.   

Please note: Acceptance to the PhD Programme does not mean individuals will be awarded a scholarship they are separate processes. 

Closing date: 23.59pm [BST] on 27^th June. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered.

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