PhD Studentship: Sanitary Waste Management – from Management to Sustainability

Project Overview 

This is an opportunity to conduct fully funded interdisciplinary research under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex.  The project will broadly focus on sanitary waste management (which includes feminine/menstrual hygiene products, diapers and some types of medical waste). Sanitary waste has often been subsumed under broader categories such as municipal solid waste or biomedical waste leading to its lower perceived significance. Yet the mismanagement of sanitary waste can have dire health, safety and environmental consequences. Improper disposal and treatment systems can lead to bacterial growth, spread of infectious diseases and water and soil contamination. Waste disposal systems across jurisdictions are under tremendous pressure while trying to cope with the increasing uptake and consumerism of sanitary products. Moreover, the issue of sanitary wastes has strong gender dimensions, as sanitary products predominantly concern women’s health and hygiene which have historically been underrepresented and undervalued in academic research and policy discourse.  

This interdisciplinary project should  focus on specific themes against the broader backdrop of sanitary waste. These may include sustainable waste management in sensitive ecosystems, roles of  state and non-state actors in managing waste and promoting sustainability, the relationship with waste management and the violation of human rights to health or water, mapping technological innovations in sanitary waste management. 

Interdisciplinary Focus and Methods 

This interdisciplinary project will be jointly supervised by faculty members of the Law and Life Sciences departments. The project can integrate law, public health and sociology. Methods may include socio-legal analysis, comparative legal analysis, policy evaluation, law and policy mapping, stakeholder interviews, and integrating systematic review, meta-analyses and bioinformatics approaches commonly applied within the Life Sciences. The project may combine doctrinal research with empirical data collected by the candidate to inform debates around sustainability, regulatory compliance and equity.  

Training and Support 

You will be supported through the Sustainable Transitions training programme which provides initial training in interdisciplinary research methods, training in the secondary discipline within the project area and ongoing training throughout the duration of the programme. All doctoral scholars benefit from the support of Proficio which entitles you to £2,500 that can be used to purchase training courses either within or external to the University. Additionally Sustainable Transitions scholars are entitled to £10,000 that can be used to cover research costs and further training. Scholars are encouraged to audit masters and degree level course where appropriate. You will also have the support of the Sustainable Transitions management team, as well as your own supervisory team.  All Sustainable Transitions scholars will become part of the University of Essex ‘Centre for Environment and Society’ through which ongoing events and networking opportunities are available.   

Person Specification 

This opportunity would suit a candidate with a degree/ background in law  (maybe environmental or health related law), with an interest in South Asia or another region of the Global South. It is not necessary for the candidate to have prior training in the hard sciences as training will be provided on the programme.   

Research Proposal 

The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application.  The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team.  

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