Sustainable solutions to the intractable problems of food insecurity

The University of Liverpool is offering a fully-funded ESRC CASE PhD studentship for a suitably qualified candidate in the field of food insecurity. Food insecurity, defined here as unreliable access to nutritionally adequate and safe food, is a growing and seemingly intractable problem estimated to affect over 8 million people in the UK. Working in collaboration with Liverpool-based social enterprise, Can Cook, the research will critically evaluate food charity, taking into account diet, food choice, and psychological wellbeing and will look at the optimum process to support food security at the scale of community and household.

This PhD CASE Award is supported through the ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership and is available on a 1+3 basis (MRes and PhD) or +3 (PhD) basis through the Business and Management pathway.

Applicants should hold (or expect to be awarded in 2021) a First Class or high 2(1) BSc or BA degree in a relevant social sciences subject (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Business & Management, Geography, Political Science). Depending on the suitability of the candidate, applicants may want to show evidence of strong research skills in the form of a Master’s degree and/or relevant research/professional experience. Strong communication skills (written and oral), together with organisation skills are essential.

Funding

Funding for this research studentship is provided by the ESRC. This includes fees to the amount of £4,407 (Home student 2020/21 rates), a maintenance stipend of £15,285 (2020/21 rates), access to a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) for reimbursement of research related expenses that includes conference attendance, training courses and UK fieldwork, opportunity to apply for additional funding towards for instance, overseas institutional visits or internships.

Please note the exact rate for 2021/22 maintenance stipend is subject to confirmation from UKRI.

How to apply

To apply for this research studentship, please apply online at the website address below, uploading the following supporting documents:

• a CV
• copies of degree transcripts showing award
• two academic references
• a short statement of no more than 350 words demonstrating how you currently understand the issue of food insecurity

If preferred, your referees may email references directly to us at the following email address: msrenq@liverpool.ac.uk.

For further information please visit website.

Application Deadline: Friday March 12^th 2021

Contact

For further particulars about this post, please contact either Alan Southern (Alan.Southern@liverpool.ac.uk) or Charlotte Hardman (Charlotte.Hardman@liverpool.ac.uk).