PhD Studentship: Future Of Flight Behaviour, Risk and Regulation in the Public Sector

The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (Centre-UB) is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner Department for Transport to start in October 2026.

Future Flight technologies, including advanced civilian-use drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), are approaching large-scale deployment in the UK. Potential applications for drones range from emergency services through to household package deliveries, and eVTOLs could provide short-hop passenger transport and regional connectivity. Drones and eVTOLs could offer more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional aviation or on-ground transport. However, these technologies raise significant implications for governance. Unlocking their potential depends on effective regulatory and policy frameworks that account for the complex interplay of stakeholders across public, private, and community contexts.

Our world-leading research has identified three intersecting challenges. First, there is limited awareness and engagement among key decision-makers regarding Future Flight technologies. Second, deeper engagement is needed with the organisational cultures of public, private, and third-sector bodies with divergent norms, values, and understandings of risk, safety, privacy, and operational priorities. Third, there is a critical need for meaningful public and community engagement early in decision-making.

Addressing these challenges requires research and governance approaches that are sensitive to organisational behaviour, responsive to local and national contexts, and capable of informing multi-level policy development.

Partnering with the Department for Transport, this PhD will explore behavioural barriers and opportunities shaping the uptake of Future Flight technologies within public sector organisations; investigate these organisations’ perceptions and norms around risk, safety, privacy, and operations; and examine how insights into organisational and public behaviour can inform effective regulation and citizen or community engagement. You will adopt a multi-phase mixed-methods design, including semi-structured interviews, surveys, behavioural experiments, and deliberative public engagement panels. You will join an established team with a strong track record in supportive mentoring, academic excellence, and the delivery real policy impact.

We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or 2:1 degree in a relevant social sciences discipline (e.g. sociology, geography or economics). An MSc degree in a relevant area is desirable though not necessary, and equivalent professional experience will be considered. Previous experience with quantitative and qualitative research techniques is desirable, although a successful candidate will not necessarily have experience in both areas and training will be provided. The successful candidate will have a keen interest in conducting impactful multi-disciplinary research.

To be considered for this PhD, please follow the instructions, click the 'Apply' button above. 

Application deadline: February 17 2026

Interviews for this studentship are expected to take place in mid-March 2026.

Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Due to funding stipulations set by UKRI, we are able to recruit up to 30% of international applicants to the cohort each year. You can find further details at https://www.centre-ub.org/studentships/call-for-applicants/

Informal enquiries about the project prior to application can be directed to Fern Elsdon-Baker (f.m.elsdon-baker@bham.ac.uk) or Rebecca McDonald (r.l.mcdonald@bham.ac.uk).

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