"PhD: Mainstreaming nature-based solutions through co-creation"

Job Description

Are you interested in transdisciplinary research for nature-based solutions and its potential to enable more just and sustainable regions?

Your job

We seek a Ph.D. researcher to theoretically and empirically develop, apply and evaluate, novel approaches to co-creation by including emotions and values and employing digital technologies (such as XR) with rural communities for fostering climate resilience with nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions are climate adaptation solutions for dealing with climate pressures, biodiversity loss, and regenerating people-nature connections. Recently, there has been much research about the benefits and outcomes of co-creation and co-design processes for nature-based solutions and the importance of engaging with a multitude of actors to ensure just processes and outcomes. Many of the good practices of co-creation take a rationality approach with limited conceptual and empirical examination and engagement about the role that emotions and values of people (as also conceptualized by the IPBES Values Assessment) play in empowering or disempowering citizens. Therefore, more research is needed in how to account for emotions and values of people about nature and place in co-creation processes by designing methods of co-creation differently. This is the main research aim of this PhD research.

Specifically, this project focuses on key research frontiers: how co-creation can facilitate transformations in ways of thinking, doing and relating with nature/nature-based solutions in rural areas when considering emotions and values? How can digital technologies facilitate co-creation with rural communities and enable the implementation and mainstreaming of nature-based solutions in such a way that they contribute to more just and sustainable regions? The digital technology applications (XR) will be provided by another research institute in collaboration with the research team of Utrecht University and its development is outside the scope of this PhD research. How it will be employed as part of the novel co-creation methodology is within the scope of the PhD research.

This PhD researcher will deepen these themes empirically and theoretically, generating actionable knowledge for inclusive governance of nature-based solutions while building strongly from action research in four real-life case studies in Greece, Cyprus, Finland and the United Kingdom. Alongside research, the Ph.D. is expected to contribute to the European project “NURISH” (see below) for one day per week. Join us in this exciting research opportunity to help shape the future of rural and regional resilience.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (Essential):

• A Master in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Geography, Political Science, Policy Studies, Sustainability Science, or related specialisations;
• Excellent research skills and ethical research practices, including the ability to gather, analyse, and interpret qualitative data;
• Experience in conducting and analysing structured and semi-structured interviews, large and small workshops, focus groups, and participatory research activities;
• Excellent command of the English language (in both written and oral form);
• Command of one or more of the following languages: Greek or Finnish;
• Ability to work both independently and in a team;
• Good time management skills to be able to balance between the PhD and the research project demands;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (Desirable):

• Familiarity with transdisciplinary research, participatory research, and climate adaptation/resilience;
• Willingness to acquire new skills as required for the required study of the PhD project;
• Experience in publishing, as lead author, at least one paper in a conference or a peer-reviewed journal;
• Knowledge of European environmental policies.

This PhD project will be based at the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning and it will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Niki Frantzeskaki, Assistant Prof. Dr. Katharina Hölscher and Assistant Prof. Martijn Kuller.

Conditions of Employment

We offer:

• temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period.
• a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model.