Examining the impact of BREXIT for business and community resilience in rural communities in Scotland.

Project reference number: GSBS-2019-109

One issue that has received too little attention in the debate about Britain existing the European Union (BREXIT) and the return of power to the UK Parliament is the impact that BREXIT may have on business and community resilience to natural hazards especially, in rural communities. Scotland is estimated to loss around £5 billion between 2014-20 from EU funding and this has caused major anxiety to communities and businesses alike (Scottish Government report, 2017). According to the report, rural Scotland benefits from several EU funding’s, with investments supporting a range of activities across the rural economy, society and the environment. Structural funds such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Funds (ESF) provide £800m of funds to support the EU2020 Strategy to deliver smart, sustainable, inclusive growth. However, as Scotland’s National Council of Rural Advisors suggest, many small rural businesses are not preparing adequately for the impact of Brexit (Keane, 2017). This poses dangers for businesses and likewise communities as rural businesses accounted for 30% of businesses in Scotland in 2016 thus contributing significantly to the Scottish Economy; 28% of which are based on agriculture, forestry and fishing. Thus, the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding is highly relevant to the rural economy. The aim of this proposed research is in two fold.

1. What is the relationship between business and community resilience to natural hazards in rural communities?
2. What are the potential impact or challenges that BREXIT may have on both business and community resilience to natural hazards?
3. What precautionary measure can be put in place to reduce the negative impact on BREXIT on business and community resilience to natural hazard?

Supervisory Research Profiles
Director of Studies: Dr Josephine Adekola
GCU Research Online URL: http://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/josephine-adekola(1b490aac-c876-4235-adfd-9fb45226e996).html

2nd Supervisor: Dr Claire MacRae
GCU Research Online URL: http://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/claire-macrae(24f109e7-3280-4817-8f0e-9b191d8098aa).html
This project is available as a 3 years full-time PhD study programme with expected start date of 1 October 2019

Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisors for the project before applying.

How to Apply

To apply for this project, use the following link to access the online application form, as well as further information on how to apply: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/postgraduateresearchstudy/applicationprocess/.

Applicants shortlisted for the PhD project will be contacted for an interview within four weeks from the closing date.

Please send any other enquires regarding your application to: [Email Address Removed]