PhD studentship: Justice-Based Sustainability Transformations (JUST)

University of Leeds - Faculty of Environment / School of Earth and Environment

Qualification Type:	PhD
Location:	Leeds
Funding amount:	UK tuition fees plus a maintenance stipend matching UKRI (£20,780 in 2025/26)
Hours:	Full Time
Placed On:	9th October 2025
Closes:	24th November 2025
Reference:	PGR-P-2259

Project summary

We are offering a fully funded PhD scholarship in the Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment for one Home fee rated candidate in 2026. This 3.5 year scholarship covers UK tuition fees plus a maintenance stipend matching UKRI (£20,780 in 2025/26) per year, subject to satisfactory progress. The position is available from 1st March, 2026.

This PhD will explore and co-produce impact-facing research on Just Transitions in West Yorkshire using participatory research methods. The successful candidate will be embedded in a dynamic interdisciplinary team at the University of Leeds and will play a key role in designing and delivering research that is locally grounded, policy-relevant, and community-led.

The successful applicant will have a strong interest in climate justice and inequality in the context of the United Kingdom. As community engagement is central to this research, we particularly encourage applications from candidates with strong existing networks with community organisations, businesses and policy makers across West Yorkshire, or strong experience in developing such connections.

References (Optional)

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Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background

The minimum entry requirements for PhD study is a 2.1 honours Bachelor degree, or equivalent, in a subject relating to your proposed area of research.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Earth and Environment is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

Subject Area

Environment

Keywords

Sustainability, Social Policy, Social Justice, Sociology