Youth activism, leadership and civic engagement for the climate and sustainability in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa region

Coventry University (CU) is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a (fully-funded) PhD studentship.  Candidates will be based in the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations – a research centre in the Institute for Peace and Security.

While addressing environmental sustainability and climate challenges have risen up societal and political agendas, many of those campaigning around these issues remain concerned that current actions and commitments still fall well short of what is required to effectively manage and mitigate the unfolding climate and natural resource crises. Within this context, there is a considerable onus on civil society to continue to drive forward efforts to tackle sustainability and climate challenges.

This project will focus in particular on how young people in countries in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa region are responding to the growing sense of urgency. It will address key questions about strategies and tactics used to raise awareness and advance agendas around climate and sustainability; how local or national movements are interacting with ‘transnational issue networks’; and how activism around these issues is intersecting with other societal struggles for democracy and justice.

The project will adopt a mixed methods approach. It will in particular draw on qualitative data from interviews and focus groups with young people in the focus countries. Participatory or arts based methods could also be employed as well as the use of surveys and larger samples to access a wider cohort of young people. Cross-country comparative studies will be encouraged.

Entry criteria for applicants to PhD 

• A bachelor’s (honours) degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum classification of 2:1 and a minimum mark of 60% in the project element (or equivalent), or an equivalent award from an overseas institution.

PLUS 

• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years
• An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English. The general requirement is a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four sections, or the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in each of the four sections.

How to apply

For further further information about the project, please contact Dr Jess Northey via e-mail [Email Address Removed]