Identifying and further investigating the potential of ‘community based adaptation strategies’ for reducing carbon emissions in Glasgow

University PhD Research Studentship
2017/18

The GCU/NG Homes Scholarship

School of Engineering and Built Environment/The Centre for Climate Justice

Key words: climate change, climate justice, communities, social justice, housing

Applications are invited for a PhD research studentship at Glasgow Caledonian University within the The Centre for Climate Justice, School of Engineering and Built Environment. The studentship on offer is for a period of four years part-time with possibility of three years full time subject to satisfactory progress. The studentship covers the payment of tuition fees plus an annual stipend of £14,800 for UK/EU student’s pro-rata.

Project Summary

Background

Climate Justice is becoming an increasingly important topic and is expected to grow in relevance as climate issues have more global impact, requiring domestic and international policy making to focus on values, ethics and justice. Our changing climate presents significant challenges and threats to people, society and the environment. To meet some of these challenges we need to identify and develop the right approaches to minimise these impacts. This means trying to understand what is ‘going on’ in communities and how people are responding to and dealing with climate change in their daily lives. Engaging with communities is the key to unleashing new knowledge, ideas and thoughts. Part of this conversation is looking at climate injustice. It is an approach that bridges the gap between climate change science and issues of social justice, such as matters of equity and rights for the most vulnerable people.

The Centre for Climate Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University is taking a global lead in the delivery of high quality policy relevant research for development, teaching and learning and broadening knowledge in the area of climate justice. The Centre in collaboration and funding support from NG Homes Glasgow (the North Glasgow Housing Association) are looking to support a part-time (possible full time) PhD scholarship to benefit a student working on a project at the Centre for Climate Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University and focused on the communities in north Glasgow, which ng homes operates in. NG homes is a social landlord that operates in the North of Glasgow placing communities at the heart of their activities and are a learning organisation, investing in training and development.

This project will focus on working with the Chinese community in North of Glasgow and a locality in China in terms of tackling global climate change and addressing climate injustice/justice. Specifically this project will i) identify and further investigate the potential of ‘community based adaptation strategies’ for reducing carbon emissions in Glasgow ii) exploring similarities/differences in a community in China and iii) a mapping/determination/cross fertilisation of ideas and approaches with communities in Glasgow and China to tackle climate injustice.

Research Supervisors
Candidates are encouraged to contact the following researchers for further details:

Professor Tahseen Jafry
Director Centre for Climate Justice
[Email Address Removed]
or
Professor Stephen Webb
[Email Address Removed]
Chair in Social Work

Mode(s) of Study
The studentship is available as a:
• PhD: 4 years part-time with possibility of 3 years full-time

Eligibility
Applicants will normally hold a UK honours degree 2:1 (or equivalent); or a Masters degree in a subject relevant to the research project preferably in Energy and Environmental Studies, Geography, Social Sciences.

Specific requirements of the project:
The candidate should be fluent in Chinese or Mandarin, have the ability to travel and carry out field work in China and have the appropriate legal right to remain in the UK. The candidate should have good academic, writing and analytical skills and be a critical thinker and good communicator.

How to Apply

Candidates are encouraged to contact the research supervisor(s) for the project before applying. Applicants should download and complete the GCU Research Application Form, available from: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/howtoapply/ stating the Project Title and Reference Number (listed above).

The completed GCU Research Application form should be sent with copies of academic qualifications, 2 references and any other relevant documentation to: [Email Address Removed]. Applicants shortlisted for a PhD studentship will be contacted for an interview.

The closing date for applications is Monday 7th August 2017