The various management options for grassland in urban green spaces, around road infrastructure and in gardens stimulates a diversity of opinions within local communities with potential for strong disagreements over approaches taken.
Evidence from many studies shows that reduced management intensity, such as less frequent mowing and low intensity cattle grazing, is strongly correlated with increased biodiversity. Consequently, reduction of management intensity of grassy areas is a valuable response to the biodiversity crisis society currently faces.
However, management options of local authorities are constrained by societal acceptability. Recent studies have identified and quantified opinions on grassland management, highlighting the diversity of attitudes.
Whilst respecting differing values, it would be highly desirable for biodiversity to modify general societal attitudes towards a greater acceptability of reduced management. Working on strategies for Cambridge City Council to achieve this societal adaptation will be the focus of this study.
Topic details
ESRC Research Priority Areas
- Net zero, environment, biodiversity and climate change
Research skills you must have
- Knowledge of or experience with research methods such as focus groups, cultural consensus analysis, questionnaires and interviews
Research skills it would be helpful to have
- Biodiversity assessment methods
Supervisory team
- Lead Supervisor - Dr Alvin Helden, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, alvin.helden@aru.ac.uk
- Second Supervisor - Dr Elena Cini, Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, elena.cini@aru.ac.uk
- Knowledge Exchange Supervisor - Guy Belcher, Biodiversity Manager, City Services, Cambridge City Council, guy.belcher@cambridge.gov.uk
About the CAM-DTP studentship
This topic is offered through the Cambridge ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (CAM-DTP), a partnership of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), the University of Bedfordshire and the University of Cambridge. An ESRC-funded CAM-DTP studentship supports 3.5–4.5 years of full-time study, and part-time study (minimum 50% of full-time) is particularly encouraged. The studentship provides:
- Tuition fees up to the value of the national UKRI rate for Home fees
- An annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£21,805 per annum in 2026–27 for full-time students)
- Up to £900 from the department to support research training
- A personalised training programme to develop research, communication, employability and personal skills
- Support for a required three-month placement (an Innovation Fellowship) with an academic or non-academic partner
Studentships start on 1 October 2027. Further details: cam-dtp.ac.uk/students/the-studentship.
Eligibility
- Applicants should have (or expect to achieve) at least a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject is desirable. Applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Both full-time and part-time applicants are welcome.
- CAM-DTP particularly encourages applicants from low socio-economic backgrounds or who have experienced educational disadvantage, and those with inter- or cross-disciplinary interests.
- Home and international students are eligible. International students receive fees at the Home rate only and must secure an additional scholarship to cover the difference between Home and international fees (evidence is required at application), as well as the costs of a UK visa and immigration health surcharge (around £3.5k).
- The studentship is based at ARU (Cambridge), and students are expected to live within reasonable travel distance of their campus.
How to apply
- Contact the lead supervisor first. Before applying, contact Dr Alvin Helden (alvin.helden@aru.ac.uk) to discuss the topic and your research proposal. Applications should not be made without speaking to the supervisory team first.
- Apply through the ARU online portal by 15 November 2026, selecting the October 2027 entry option marked ‘CAM-DTP Only’. Using the wrong intake may mean your application is not considered for CAM-DTP funding. The application link for this topic is on the ARU CAM-DTP studentships page.
- Prepare the following documents: degree certificates and transcripts; a personal statement explaining your suitability for the project; a research outline setting out the gap in knowledge and your proposed methodology; a CV; passport and visa or EU Settlement Scheme share code (if applicable); and email addresses for two referees.
- Shortlisting and interview. Applicants will be contacted between 23 November and 4 December 2026. Online interviews will take place between 7 and 18 December 2026.
- Nomination. The successful candidate completes nomination forms with the supervisory team in January, and is nominated for CAM-DTP funding in early February 2027. Nomination does not guarantee funding.
CAM-DTP does not accept direct applications. Questions about the application process: phdscholarships@aru.ac.uk.