Dr R Wilson, Dr M Currie, Dr L Philip
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
About the Project
A key goal of the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan is to increase island population levels and to ensure a healthy, balanced population profile. This represents a considerable challenge for some islands where the number of permanent residents has been steadily declining for decades. Several islands and island local authorities have launched initiatives aimed at attracting return migrants and newcomers of working age to island communities, and there is some evidence that younger, economically active people are increasingly considering the islands as a place to settle, and at an earlier stage in the life course. This is associated with improved digital connectivity and a growing appreciation of the cultural wealth, environmental assets, wellbeing and community-related benefits of island life. It is not unreasonable to expect that the societal shifts introduced by responses to the Covid-19 pandemic may have further popularised this attitude while making working from an island home a practical possibility for more people.
This evidence of inward migration and potential for further growth is good news for demographic recovery in the islands, as it provides opportunities to promote their resilience. Typically given less attention, is the retention of these islanders in the longer term. Once they have become islanders, what encourages them to stay, and what makes it difficult? Building on existing evidence gathered through the Islands Revival project and the National Islands Plan Survey, the successful student will undertake an in-depth study of working age, in-migrant islanders (whether new or returning) as they strive to make a living – and a life – in their island homes. The study will address the following questions, with a view to understanding migrants’ trajectories after they have moved:
- What are the migrants’ motivations for moving to an island community?
- Do their lived experiences of island life match their expectations?
- What are their future plans, including residential and employment aspirations?
- How do rural migrants promote resilience of island communities or otherwise?
It is important to gather evidence of the factors affecting the liveability of islands for this cohort once they have moved and settled to understand how "green shoots" of population turnaround can become established trends and a long-term source of positive outcomes for the islands. Given this focus, the PhD is likely to explore and build on key rural social science theories and how they intersect including community resilience, migration and mobilities. The aim will be to fill a notable research gap regarding population, employment and lifestyle trends in remote and island communities across the Global North, and to provide insights and evidence that are highly relevant to policy. The supervisory team will provide opportunities for the successful student to exchange knowledge with international island researchers and those with expertise in contemporary remote rural issues.
Funding Notes
The studentship is funded under the James Hutton Institute/University Joint PhD programme, in this case with the University of Aberdeen for a period of 3.5 years. Applicants should have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent). Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in Jan/Feb 2021. Funding is available for UK applications only. The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and students.