About the Project
Coastlines are complex socio-economic-ecological systems containing key housing and infrastructure. Presently, many parts of the UK coast are protected to reduce erosion and flooding, but financially this level of protection cannot be sustained, nor is it always desirable to do so from geomorphological or ecological perspectives. The second generation of Shoreline Management Plans were developed exploring these perspectives. These indicate that many communities presently protected, will be subject to future policies of no active intervention or retreat. Under these conditions, they would erode or flood more frequently, causing long-term degenerative effects and dissatisfaction. Presently, research is limited, so this PhD aims to use an agent based modelling approach, to better understand the processes, triggers and mechanisms of how decisions will be made, such as:
a) Will house prices degrade as policy shifts from protect to retreat?
b) Will people retire to the coast, if they know that it is not a long-term investment?
c) How will investment patterns change, and will locals be prepared to fund their own defences?
We are looking for an enthusiastic student who can work in a multi-disciplinary research environment, covering modelling, and the natural and human environment, with at least a 2:1 in a science/engineering/quantitative discipline. Supervisors: Dr Sally Brown, Prof Robert Nicholls (Engineering and the Environment), Dr James Dyke (Electronic and Computer Science / Geography).
The successful applicant would be fully funded by the Leverhulme Trust “Understanding Maritime Futures” Doctoral Scholarship at Southampton, and is competitive against other studentships bidding to this fund. Candidates short listed for interview would be expected to submit a 1,500 word essay on a pre-defined topic. Due to funding requirements, this scholarship will be awarded to UK or EU students only. For more information please contact Sally Brown ([Email Address Removed]; +44(0)2380 594796).
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