PhD Studentship in Global Sustainable Development: Lived experiences and perceptions of heat of children in Accra

We invite expressions of interest in pursuing research for a PhD in the School for Cross-Faculty Studies, Global Sustainable Development department at the University of Warwick.

We are seeking a PhD candidate to conduct an in-depth investigation of children's and their carers lived experiences and perceptions of heat in schools in Accra, Ghana. The research will analyse the socio-cultural, institutional and governance contexts shaping responses to heat and study emerging adaptation practices in unconventional knowledge settings, against the background of mental health and cognitive behaviour results from the wider project. The student will have the opportunity to shape the project to align with their interests and expertise.

This PhD is part of a major international project, “Co-producing knowledge on neighbourhood heat and its impacts on child mental health and cognition,” funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR). The project investigates the mental health and cognitive impacts of exposure to heat in primary school-age children in Accra, Ghana and leverages extensive existing research to produce relevant empirical data for effective adaptation strategies. It is designed around three core objectives:

1. To co-produce actionable knowledge on heat-related risks and adaptation strategies with policy partners, civil society, and citizens.
2. To estimate the effect of heat exposure on child mental health.
3. To estimate the effect of heat exposure on child cognitive outcomes.

The candidate will be based at the University of Warwick, supervised by Dr. Camilla Audia and join a leading international team from McGill University, the University of Ghana, Michigan State University, and the University of Massachusetts. The position includes funding for conferences and travel, with fieldwork in Ghana expected.

Eligibility

Applicants should hold an honours degree (2:1 or above) and a Master’s degree or equivalent qualifications or experience. We welcome applicants from a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to:

International/Sustainable Development, Geography/Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health/Epidemiology, Psychology/Mental health sciences, Education, Climate Science, Sociology/Anthropology, Political Science/Public policy, Global health.

Candidates with interdisciplinary backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply, as the project sits at the intersection of climate change, health, education, and sustainable development.

How to apply

The application is a two-step process. Candidates must:

Submit an application for the PhD in Global Sustainable Development.

Separately, email a two-page research proposal to PGGSD@warwick.ac.uk.

The proposal should include key research questions and objectives that align with the project's overall goals, outline your proposed approach to investigating the lived experiences of heat in educational settings and highlight how your experience matches the project’s themes and objectives. Applications that do not complete both steps will not be considered.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr. Audia at camilla.audia@warwick.ac.uk.

Funding

The scholarship covers full tuition fees at the UK/Home rate ONLY. It also provides a tax-free stipend for 3 years at the UKRI rate (£20,780.00 for 2025/2026). Additional funding for research and training expenses. Please note that this funding covers tuition fees at the UK/Home rate only. International applicants are welcome to apply but will be responsible for self-funding the difference between the home and international tuition fee rates (approximately additional £20,000 per year, for three years, subject to inflation) and for securing their own visa. The university cannot provide further financial or visa support.

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