PhD Studentship - Flood Risk and Housing Inequality: Towards Equitable Adaptation

Flooding is reshaping where people can safely and affordably live in UK cities, altering housing markets and widening inequalities. In some places, adaptation raises values and displaces residents; elsewhere, exposure sustains disinvestment. This PhD investigates these dynamics, known as hazard gentrification, and asks how cities can design adaptation that is resilient and socially just.

You will build an open observatory to track flood risk and neighbourhood change, integrating official spatial datasets (government flood maps, deprivation indices), housing market data (prices, rents), and community reporting of flood events. Using GIS, AI, and time series analysis, you will reveal how climate risks and housing dynamics intersect and how patterns may evolve under climate change. Leicester and Loughborough serve as contrasting case studies, pairing a metropolitan centre with a smaller town to secure transferable findings.

The project provides advanced training in spatial analysis, AI methods, and participatory research, supported by supervisors in urban planning, climate adaptation, and social justice. It forms part of the Flood CDT and aligns with Loughborough University’s research on equitable adaptation and resilience. You will be prepared for roles in academia, government, public interest consultancies, and NGOs. We are committed to an inclusive research environment and welcome diverse applicants.

Entry requirements:

Applicants must already have, or expect to shortly graduate with, a very good undergraduate or master’s degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree) – or an equivalent international qualification from a high ranking university – in a relevant subject.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).

Funding information:

Studentship type – UKRI through Flood-CDT (https://flood-cdt.ac.uk/). The studentship is for 3.5 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Due to UKRI funding rules, no more than 30% of the studentships funded by this grant can be awarded to International candidates, but successful International candidates will have the difference between the UK and International tuition fees provided by the University.

How to apply:

All applications should be made via the 'Apply' button above. Under programme name, select School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering. Please quote the advert reference FCDT-26-LU8 in your application. This PhD is being advertised as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT). Further details about FLOOD-CDT can be seen at https://flood-cdt.ac.uk. Please note that your application will be assessed upon: (1) Motivation and Career Aspirations; (2) Potential & Intellectual Excellence; (3) Suitability for specific project and (4) Fit to FLOOD-CDT. So please familiarise yourselves with FLOOD-CDT before applying. During the application process candidates will need to upload:

• a one-page statement of your research interests in flooding and FLOOD-CDT and your rationale for your choice of project;
• a curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests;
• academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if not in English)
• a IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable.

You are encouraged to contact potential supervisors by email to discuss project specific aspects of the proposed project prior to submitting your application. If you have any general questions, please contact floodcdt@soton.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 8 January 2026

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