A comparative, territorially grounded qualitative case study design to investigate how Community Wealth Building is being implemented across different Scottish localities (Reference: GSBS26143-Mazzei)

About the Project

The proposed PhD is linked to research led by the Yunus Centre at GCU and carried out by a multi-disciplinary and multi-institution team of academics from GCU, University of Glasgow, Lancaster University and Glasgow Centre for Population and Health. https://www.cowbellsstudy.com/

Community Wealth Building (CWB) is a local economic development strategy aimed at reducing economic inequalities. Evidence from earlier initiatives shows that CWB’s success depends on local dynamics—cultural legacies and institutional structures shaping relationships between economic and political actors. Yet significant gaps remain in understanding how these dynamics within Scottish contexts will influence the implementation of CWB across different geographical settings.

The proposed doctoral research will use a comparative, territorially grounded qualitative case study design to examine how CWB is being implemented across diverse Scottish localities.

Stage 1 - Document and policy analysis. An initial review of local authority CWB strategies, earlier regeneration programmes, and governance frameworks will produce detailed territorial profiles capturing legacy and structural conditions influencing each locality.

Stage 2 – Semi‑structured interviews with key stakeholders. Interviews with economic development officers, public sector leaders, anchor institutions, third‑sector organisations, and community representatives will explore how local actors interpret CWB, the institutional routines that shape implementation, and perceived opportunities and barriers.

Stage 3 – Ethnography of place. Participatory and ethnographic approaches (such as attending CWB working groups, observing partnership meetings, and running stakeholder mapping workshops with community groups) will help illuminate the informal practices, power dynamics, and relational networks that are central to understanding implementation on the ground.

Stage 4 – Comparative synthesis. A comparative synthesis across the selected localities will then allow the researcher to identify commonalities, divergences, and the specific territorial conditions that either enable or constrain CWB.

Within this four stages approach there is flexibility to accommodate methodological preferences such as Qualitative Comparative Analysis or Geographical Information System, reflecting the candidate’s disciplinary/methodological background.

How To Apply

This project is available as a 3 year full-time PhD study programme starting 1st October 2026

Applicants should apply via our application process page choosing Social Sciences and Full time Sept 2026 start.You should choose Reference GSBS26143 - Mazzeifrom the drop-down list in your application. Please note that emails to the supervisory team or enquires submitted via this project advert do not constitute formal applications;

Supervisory contact: Dr Micaela Mazzei micaela.mazzei@gcu.ac.uk https://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/en/persons/micaela-mazzei/

Funding Notes

This studentship is worth at least £26,956 per year for three years (subject to progress). The studentship covers payment of tuition fees (£5,151 for Home/RUK students or £17,700 for EU/International students for 26/27) plus an annual stipend of £21,805 for Home/RUK students or an annual scholarship of £9,256 for EU/International students from October 2026.