Overview
A fully-funded 3.5 year ESRC PhD studentship on the topic “Climate urbanism: sustainability for the affluent?”. The studentship is part of the CAM-DTP (University of Cambridge/Anglia Ruskin University) and will sit primarily within the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge, with a secondary affiliation to the Global Sustainability Institute at ARU (Cambridge campus) supported by co-supervision from Prof Rosie Robison.
Research focus
This studentship will explore how current urban sustainability strategies may work to protect privileged groups and promote affluent lifestyles at the expense of marginalised groups. The research will interrogate case studies in the UK and South Africa, with local institutional support provided during fieldwork in South Africa. There is flexibility in the focus and design of the research. For example, applicants can choose particular sustainability sectors and interventions they are interested in as case studies, e.g. transport, energy, water.
* Transport (15-minute cities, cycling, public transport)
* Energy (renewable sources, e.g. solar panels)
* Water (retrofitting houses around greywater reuse, boreholes, storage tanks)
The research will use predominantly qualitative methods (e.g. interviews, policy analysis, workshops, ethnography); however there is flexibility over the precise design.
Affiliations and supervision
Connected with the CAM-DTP and based primarily in the Department of Geography, Cambridge, with a secondary affiliation to the Global Sustainability Institute at ARU (Cambridge campus). Co-supervision from Prof Rosie Robison.
What to expect as part of the application process
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to sign up to attend drop-in sessions. Details below and accompanying guidance on completing an application will be circulated to those who sign up: register your interest in these.
Key dates
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 2 December 2025. Online interviews are likely to take place on 16 January 2026.
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