Revisiting ‘Poor People, Poor Products’: The implications of cheap, short-lived consumer goods for low income households.

The short life-span of many consumer goods has important implications (Cooper, 2010). Ever-increasing consumption generates excessive waste and, due to the use of fossil fuels in making such items, contributes to climate change. Policymakers across Europe are consequently exploring ways to encourage longer product lifetimes through higher technical standards, longer guarantees and improved labelling.

While the environmental impacts of short-lived goods are well-documented, the social impacts are not. For example, people in lower income groups may only be able to afford items that are cheap but short-lived and do not represent good value for money (Cooper, 1998). Policy interventions aimed at increased product lifetimes may lead to items becoming more expensive and thus less accessible to poorer households, raising concerns about the social implications of product life extension through repair and second hand markets (Gregson and Crewe, 2003).

This studentship will enable the successful applicant to undertake research aimed at evaluating the social implications of short-lived goods and the ‘throwaway culture’ and to develop strategies to ameliorate any burdens that longer-lasting goods could place on people in low income households. The researcher will address consumer durables such as vehicles, electrical goods, furniture and clothing and will engage with European Commission and UK Government policy processes and with third sector organisations in support of their social and environmental objectives. The choice of methodology will be subject to discussion with supervisors; in principle either qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods are acceptable.

The project presents an opportunity to undertake research in a fast growing field of knowledge in which Nottingham Trent University has established a strong, international reputation, notably through leadership of the biennial PLATE (Product Lifetimes and the Environment) conferences (www.plateconference.org). It will build on the work of the Centre for Industrial Energy, Materials and Products (CIE-MAP), one of the University’s largest research projects (www.ciemap.ac.uk).

The researcher will join an established, multidisciplinary team led by Professor Tim Cooper and benefit from excellent support facilities. He or she will be a member of the Sustainable Consumption Research Group, a lively network of researchers with strong links across the University.

Entrants must have a first/undergraduate Honours degree, with an Upper Second Class or a First Class grade, in a social science, design or other relevant subject. Entrants with a Lower Second Class grade at first degree must also have a postgraduate Masters Degree at Merit.

Panel members who will perform shortlisting

Chair: Prof. Tim COOPER, [Email Address Removed]
Panel member 1: Dr Alex GNANAPRAGASAM, [Email Address Removed]
Panel member 2: Dr Christine COLE, [Email Address Removed]

Interviews are likely to take place on the following dates: 16/01/2018 to 18/01/2018

For academic queries about the project, please contact Professor Tim Cooper - [Email Address Removed]
For queries about the application process and eligibility, please contact the Doctoral School at [Email Address Removed]

This studentship competition is open to applicants who wish to study for a PhD on a full-time basis only. The studentship will pay UK/EU fees (currently set at £4,195 for 2017/18 and are revised annually) and provide a maintenance stipend linked to the RCUK rate (this is revised annually and is currently set at £14,553 for the academic year 2017/18) for up to three years. Applications from non-EU students are welcome, but a successful non-EU candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between non-EU and UK/EU fees. (Fees for 2017/18 are £12,900 for non-EU students and £4,195 for UK/EU students). The studentships will be expected to commence in October 2018.