Sheffield Hallam University Global Partnership Scholarship: Codesigning Citizen River Science to Empower Equitable Climate–Water Governance

About the Project

Recent reports from IPCC (2023) show that flooding, drought, rising river temperatures and declining water quality are becoming more common. These changes can mobilise pollutants, damage habitats, and increase risks to communities and local infrastructure. These impacts are not experienced equally. Communities facing social and economic disadvantage are often more exposed to environmental risks, yet have fewer opportunities to influence decisions about rivers, climate resilience or local planning.

This project aims to address these inequalities by working with communities often left out of water-related climate decision making in South Yorkshire (UK) and Victoria (Australia). The researcher will work closely with local groups in both regions to understand their concerns, identify what matters most to them, and codevelop practical ways to monitor river health and local climate impacts.

Example activities include:

• Organising collaborative workshops to identify and discuss local river and climate priorities
• Selecting meaningful environmental indicators (e.g., litter, turbidity, invertebrates, algae, flow).
• Codeveloping simple tools (bank surveys, water-quality sampling, smartphone observations, flood/drought logging) and testing them together in the field.
• Helping communities interpret and share results through maps, short narratives and local events.

The researcher will receive training in hydrology, citizen science, participatory methods, GIS and environmental governance, and will spend a year in Australia undertaking fieldwork with partner communities. Participants in both regions will also be supported to build climate risk awareness and confidence in collecting and using environmental evidence.

The project emphasises learning across the two regions, not simply comparing them. Both locations will use shared core approaches, while bringing their own experiences, cultural perspectives and priorities into the codesign process. This will generate new insights into how inclusive, community-led monitoring can strengthen adaptive capacity, improve climate literacy and support long-term public involvement in environmental decision making.

By supporting shared learning, accessible monitoring and community-led approaches to environmental data, the project will help create fairer, more resilient and evidence-informed climate water governance ensuring that the voices of those most affected by environmental change are heard in future decisions.

About the joint PhD programme

Students on the joint PhD programme will be enrolled on a PhD at both institutions. Your supervisory team will comprise academics from each institution who will provide support and guidance throughout your research. You will benefit from the research community, networking and collaborations of the Sheffield Hallam/La Trobe global partnership. As a student of both institutions, you will have access to services and support provided at Sheffield Hallam and La Trobe, including a range of professional and personal development for researchers.

Full details about the joint programme can be found on our website.

Scholarship details

For full information on the conditions of award for Sheffield Hallam PhD scholarships, see our Conditions of Award for University PhD scholarships.

The scholarships are available for 3.5 years of full-time study and will provide:

• Tuition fees at ‘Home’ student rates
• A PhD bursary at the standard Sheffield Hallam PhD bursary rate (this is aligned with the net Real Living Wage and the current rate for academic year 2025/26 is £22,152 per annum)
• One economy return air fare between the UK and La Trobe University
• Single person Visa-length Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the agreed period of residency at La Trobe. Please note the OSHC is covered for a single person only; any student intending to travel to Australia with family members will need to pay additional OSHC costs to upgrade to family cover.

In addition to the above, La Trobe University will award a tuition fee scholarship to the successful SHU scholarship holders on the joint programme to cover tuition fees payable at La Trobe.

A further 6 months of study is available to students who have not submitted their thesis within their 3.5-year funded scholarship period; however, this is not funded by the scholarship and students will have to pay the “writing-up” tuition fee themselves (currently £250 for 6 months).

These scholarships are not available for part-time study.

How to Apply

To apply you need to meet our entry requirements and provide:

• A complete online application form for the October 2026 intake, available here. This includes:
  • A research proposal. Maximum word count: 1,500 words.
  • A personal statement. We want to learn more about you. In the personal statement you must answer these four questions. Please include the title of the project you are applying for in the Personal Statement section of the application form. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question and including specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional):
    1. What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project?
    2. How did you come up with your project proposal?
    3. What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you?
    4. Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences.
• Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts (All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 minimum) and/or a relevant master’s qualification (merit minimum)).
• Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
• Copies of your passport and any relevant visas.

International Students

International students* will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date; or
2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit minimum) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

* UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you're a national of one of these countries, you won't need to provide evidence as listed above.

For further information regarding our entry requirements, please visit the course page.

Note that studentship applicants must have all degree results confirmed before applying.

Closing date: 23:00 (GMT+1) 1st June 2026.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Funding Notes

The scholarship will cover the tuition fee to the Home student level only and students who are liable for the International tuition fee rate will be expected to provide the difference between the Home and International fees from another funding source. The shortfall between the Home and EU/International fee must be covered by the student for the 3.5-year duration of the scholarship and there is no additional funding to assist EU/International students. Applicants must have the resources set out above to fund their study. Please note that the PhD bursary payments cannot be used to fund this fee gap.