Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2022.
The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Business and Law, and the first supervisor will be Dr Matthew Anderson. Designed as an interdisciplinary study, this PhD will also be supervised by academics based in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries - Dr Elaine Igoe and Dr Lara Torres.
Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£16,062 for 2022/2023). As part of the bursary, the Faculty of Business and Law may fund fieldwork expenses (currently £2,000) over the total period of PhD study. We also offer funding to attend conferences, training and a work-based placement.
The work on this project could involve:
● An investigation of experiences of work and (re)making in the circular economy.
● Exploring the role of SME networks in supporting place-based civic engagement with sustainable fashion and textiles.
● A placement opportunity with pioneering clothing company and Queen's Award for Innovation winner - Teemill.
Project description
This project will investigate how SMEs and social enterprises can develop circular economy approaches as part of sustainability transformations in the fashion industry. It will focus on how fashion designers and SMEs can reduce waste, raise awareness of sustainability issues in the community and develop new employability skills through circular economy business design and manufacturing methods.
There has been growing interest among business, civil society and policy makers in aligning sustainability and the circular economy (Circle Economy et al., 2020; Environmental Audit Committee, 2021; Geissdoerfer et al., 2017). However, to date this work has been under-theorised and the wider connections to the social dimensions of the circular economy are still underdeveloped (Murray et al., 2017; Sehnem et al., 2019). The project adopts a multilevel case study approach that integrates micro, meso and macro level insights and builds on recent conceptualisations of ‘interactive spaces’ as crucial for supporting social movements and enabling organisational change (van Wijk et al., 2019).
This PhD is designed as an interdisciplinary study with joint supervision from academics based in Portsmouth Business School and the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries.
The successful candidate will review key developments in design thinking and business model innovation with specific reference to circular fashion; investigate experiences of work and (re)making in the circular economy; and explore the role of SME networks in supporting place-based civic engagement with sustainable fashion and textiles.
This project will also include a placement opportunity with pioneering clothing company and Queen's Award for Innovation winner - Teemill, based on the Isle of Wight.
The University of Portsmouth is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation network, and there will be opportunities to engage with a range of key stakeholders such as Common Objective, Fashion Revolution and the RSA.
General admissions criteria
You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject.
In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
Specific candidate requirements
Interested candidates should have a background in the social sciences and an awareness of interdisciplinary research. Candidates should have some experience of both qualitative and quantitative research methods; and knowledge of sustainability and circular economy. Candidates without such experience should be willing to develop their skills in this area as part of the project.
How to Apply
We’d encourage you to contact Dr Matthew Anderson ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.
When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
Please also include a research proposal of 1,000 words outlining the main features of your proposed research design – including how it meets the stated objectives, the challenges this project may present, and how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.
If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code OSHR7070522 when applying.