Dr D Bek
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Coventry University (CU) is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a fully-funded PhD studentship This PhD project is part of the Cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. The successful applicant will spend the 1st year at Coventry University, the 2nd year at Deakin University and the remaining 1.5 years at Coventry University. The supervision team will be drawn from the two Universities.
This PhD project will be situated within the Sustainable Production and Consumption research cluster of the Centre for Business in Society (CBiS) which is the Faculty of Business and Law’s hub for specialist research which focuses on the ultimate goals of living within environmental limits and the attainment of social justice, through the delivery of responsible business and ethical consumption practices.
Our research takes a 'whole supply chain' approach, examining activities, attitudes and behaviours at different points in the lifecycle of products. We are especially interested in work which engages consumers through raising awareness of the imperative for more sustainable lifestyles and decision making.
Project details
This opportunity focuses upon ethical/sustainable consumption. Consumers are powerful actors in the drive towards a more sustainable future, although their choices and actions are mediated by many factors including state regulation, ‘nudge’ behavioural programmes and corporate marketing. In a drive towards a sustainable future it is vital that there is better understanding of the factors driving consumer decision making. Within the free market systems of Western economies it is, ultimately the consumer who decides what to purchase and how to consume, thereby addressing their underlying wants and needs. It is an individual’s aggregate consumption that determines their impact upon sustainability, with some consumption behaviours creating a greater impact than others.
Applicants are invited to develop a research proposal which focuses upon consumers and the drivers of their decision-making and behaviours. This research can look at consumer behaviour from one of a number of different perspectives using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods.
Lines of enquiry may be drawn from the following questions:
• How can we measure aggregate consumption decisions?
• What role do standards and certifications play in influencing consumers?
• Can social marketing help to generate more sustainable behaviours?
• How effectively is sustainability being promoted within consumption of a specific commodity, such as cut-flowers? (n.b. proposals looking at other commodities such as coffee, cocoa, fruit etc. will also be considered).
Training and Development
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.
All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
Find out more about the institute here: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/areas-of-research/business-in-society/
Entry criteria for applicants to PhD
• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average.
PLUS
the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a 3.5 years
• a minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)
Essential to be able to physically locate to both Coventry University (England) and Deakin University (Australia)
For further details see: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/making-an-application/
How to apply
To find out more about the project please contact Dr David Bek
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
Please note that applications must be made to both Universities
To apply please visit:
For Coventry University https://pgrplus.coventry.ac.uk/
For Deakin University http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/become-a-research-student/how-to-apply-research-degrees