PhD studentship – Transport, Accessibility and the Built Environment

Award summary

The studentship covers home tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237 (for 2024/5, with a +2.9% annual increase) for 3 years, with fieldwork and conference expenses of £2500.

Overview

Newcastle University is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive Universities, in existence since 1834. The School of Architecture Planning and Landscape (APL) is a recognised research leader in its disciplines, in REF2021 the School was ranked 4^th/37 in UOA13 for research power in the UK (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/ref-2021/units-of-assessment/architecture).  APL hosts a large, diverse, and vibrant PGR community with around 80 PhD research students from 22 different countries. The Studentship will also benefit from connections to the University’s Centre for Mobility and Transport, founded as a Research Centre of Excellence in 2022 to bring together medical, engineering and social science faculty:  https://www.ncl.ac.uk/research/mobility-transport/

The focus of the studentship is open. Prospective students can propose a topic within the broad field of accessibility and the built environment and/ or transport systems, or indicate an interest in an area that builds on APL’s existing work: first, inclusive active travel  (see my profile); second, public transport accessibility (https://openlab.ncl.ac.uk/research/metro-futures-co-designing-the-future-of-tyne-and-wear-metro/). The final choice of topic will be configured to build on the student’s strengths, being open to students with a range of potential backgrounds such as public health, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Such a topic choice might also stem from your lived experience of disability.

Number of awards 

1

Start date

September 2024

Award duration 

3 years

Application closing date

13 May 2024

Sponsor

Motability Foundation - https://www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk

Name of supervisor/s

Prof Geoff Vigar - https://www.ncl.ac.uk/apl/people/profile/geoffvigar.html

Dr Alexander Wilson - https://www.ncl.ac.uk/apl/people/profile/alexanderwilson.html

A further supervisor will be mobilised from within the University depending on the precise research focus.

Eligibility Criteria

Only UK Home students are eligible to apply.  

Candidates must have:

• a 1st class or 2.1 honours degree in Planning or other relevant discipline
• a lived experience of disability, all impairment types (including but not limited to physical, sensory, or intellectual conditions) as well as non-visible / hidden disabilities.
• a commitment to pursue a career in accessible transport design, practice, or policy, with a view to improve existing transport or ensure accessibility

How to apply and contact details

For information please see www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/fees-funding/search-funding/?code=apl038

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