PhD Studentship: Assessing the economic and policy impacts of climate change related tipping points for commercial fish species in the North Atlantic, CASE project with Cefas

Primary Supervisor - Dr Tiziana Luisetti

Scientific background 

Climate change related tipping points (e.g. a slowdown in the North Atlantic ocean currents) may pose risks to marine resources (e.g. fish) and to people’s wellbeing (e.g. food security), with consequent economic implications. This research aims to explore how projected tipping points in North Atlantic marine ecosystems could influence the economics and sustainability of UK marine resources, and to identify trade-offs for policy and management interventions. This project is part of the Forecasting Tipping points In Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Responses (TiMBER) project of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).  

Methodology  

An initial review of frameworks like the “planetary commons” and natural capital accounting applied to Oceans sets the scene for the project to develop these further and to apply them in the following years to analyse the North Atlantic marine resources. The use of Ocean Accounts allows the identification of ongoing trends and emerging national and international losses/gains also related to the effects of tipping points, while identifying potential threats to food security. Future scenarios produced by TiMBER will then be used to analyse the trade-offs involved so to inform the economic analysis and estimate the consequences and opportunities of tipping points for the UK, while investigating how countries can contribute to the management and conservation of the commons.  

Training  

The PhD candidate will be based at UEA, and, as such, will benefit from the Aries DTP training (e.g. summer and winter schools, ad hoc courses, and workshops) and additional UEA training related to environmental economics and econometrics. Further training will be provided by the CASE partner (Cefas) (e.g. natural capital accounting; biogeochemistry and fisheries modelling). The PhD candidate will acquire and/or strengthen their understanding of interdisciplinary working, modelling and statistics applied to economics, trade-off analysis skills, and networking skills. 

Person specification  

This interdisciplinary research is best suited for individuals with broad interests in understanding the implications of climate change and an attitude to solve complex problems from theory to decision making, combining several disciplines (e.g. economics and applied sciences). A candidate with strong statistical/mathematical knowledge and experience to apply that knowledge to economics is desirable. 

Entry Requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category). 

Acceptable first degree: Environmental economics

Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

1 October 2026

Additional Funding Information

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.  

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