Ageing populations have raised challenges in terms of how best to design environments to support ageing-in-place. At the same time, there has been extensive restructuring of city centres and lifestyles, impacting the design of high streets. Changing consumption and investment patterns have led to many small independent retailers being replaced by supports that are increasingly located in decentralised locations. This has challenged the ability of older people to access supports, raising issues of proximity and mobility. More recently online sales have made serious inroads into physical shopping, a process that has been accelerated by the pandemic but one which impacts those that are not digitally connected particularly some segments of the older population. These structural changes may have particular implications for the older population in respect of changing lifestyles and consumptions patterns in old age. Planning policies in the UK have been particularly aware of this segment of the population and the need to ensure retail environments (physical or virtual) support older people. This project will seek to appraise how the older generation has responded to the changes in retailing, including the behaviours of different older groups in relation to consumption and retail patterns, drawing out recommendations for the development of sustainable age-friendly cities.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants should have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent experience). Additional criteria may apply so please check the specific project details before applying. Scholarships will be awarded by competitive merit, taking into account the academic ability of the applicant.
We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process”
How to Apply
Please complete our online application form. Please select PhD Urban Studies programme and include the project reference, title and supervisor names on your application. If these details are not included your application may not be considered. Please note that applicants may only submit ONE proposal.
Please also provide a supporting statement outlining how you would approach the research and upload this to the research proposal section of the online application. You will also be required to upload a CV, a copy of your degree certificate and relevant transcripts and one academic reference. Until your nominated referee has uploaded their statement, your application will not be marked as complete and will not be considered by the review panel.
You must also provide proof of your ability in the English language (if English is not your mother tongue or if you have not already studied for a degree that was taught in English). We require an IELTS certificate showing an overall score of at least 6.5 with no component scoring less than 6.0 or a TOEFL certificate with a minimum score of 90 points.
Timetable
Applications will be reviewed throughout March and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of April 2021. Applicants MUST be available to start the course of study on a full-time basis in September 2021.
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