Dynamic adaptive pathways to manage nuisance macroalgal blooms (NMBs) in the south coast of England at University of Southampton on FindAPhD.com

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

Prof EL Tompkins, Dr Sien Van der Plank, Dr Victoria Dominguez Almela No more applications being accepted Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Add
to
shortlist

Remove
from
shortlist

Southampton United Kingdom Biodiversity Ecology Environmental Geography Government Human Geography Marine Geography Marine Sciences Pollution

About the Project

We expect candidates to develop a research proposal for the following topic:

This is an exciting opportunity for interdisciplinary researchers interested in modelling human-environment interactions at the coast, identifying the potential outcomes from alternative governance scenarios. Specifically, this PhD will generate knowledge that can improve management of nuisance macroalgal blooms (NMBs) in the south coast of England.

It will do this by first exploring capacity and motivations of different stakeholders to adapt to NMBs caused by green algae species affecting the south coast of England. Second, using individual-based models (IBMs), the researcher will simulate the spread of green algae, under alternative governance scenarios applied by regulatory governmental bodies. Finally, the PGR will apply both policy adaptations and differing levels of adaptive capacity to the IBM in order to develop adaptive management pathways.

The outcome will be a functional model of policy choices to manage emergent green algae risks. It will involve interdisciplinary work across: natural, social, economic and political sciences. This is a both qualitative and quantitative study, comprising desk-based study and primary data collection. Primary data collection may include interviews with those involved in the management of the affected waterways and surrounding land, policy makers, those who affect nutrient run off from land, and those with commercial interests in green algae. Secondary data from literature and water quality monitoring bodies will be used to supplement the analysis. The researcher will sit within the Environmental Change and Sustainability research cluster within the School of Geography & Environmental Science.

The student should have a background or strong interest in computer programming (ideally in R). They should also be interested in applying social-ecological models to real-world systems involving management of emergent climate risks. The student will benefit from supervisor expertise in environmental change, coastal adaptation, policy, ecological modelling, … They will also have the opportunity to interact with a wide network of international collaborators and stakeholders

Funding Notes

The South Coast DTP fund students undertaking Masters + PhD programmes (1+3 funding) and stand-alone PhD programmes (+3 funding). In addition to covering the cost of programme fees, those in receipt of a South Coast DTP studentship award will also receive an annual maintenance grant of £17,668 (2022/23 UKRI rate). South Coast DTP PhD students will also have access to additional funding for things such as carrying out fieldwork, purchasing essential equipment and attending relevant conferences

References

Academic Qualifications: For all studentships, students must have qualifications of the standard of a good honours degree at first- or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution. Degree qualifications gained from outside the UK, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience that is equivalent to a relevant UK degree, may be accepted. If you have completed a master's degree, you should have achieved a merit or above including 60% for the dissertation. If you have not completed a master's, you'll need to show you can produce high quality writing and analysis.
English language requirements: If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an English Language test to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following IELTS (or equivalent) scores as a minimum: overall score 6.5, writing 6.0, reading 6.0, speaking 6.0, listening 6.0. Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
Residential Eligibility: The South Coast DTP is able to accept applications from UK and International applicants to all of our accredited disciplines/pathways, however due to UKRI funding conditions, awards to non-UK residents are capped at 30% of our overall allocation.
THE FIRST APPLICATION FORM YOU NEED TO COMPLETE IS FOR YOUR CHOSEN PROGRAMME OF STUDY (PhD Geography and Environmental Science at University of Southampton): https://www.southampton.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research . You'll need to send us: your CV with details of your academic record and research interests; your academic transcript; details of 2 current academic referees, with their institutional email addresses; a short statement of your research interests and reasons for choosing the projects you're applying for; IELTS or TOEFL certificate if English is not your first language. THE SECOND APPLICATION FORM WHICH REQUIRES COMPLETION IS THE SOUTH COAST DTP FUNDING APPLICATION FORM ON THE DTP WEBSITE: https://southcoastdtp.ac.uk/