About the Project
Background
The UK’s Fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA4), published May 2026, calls for a stronger evidence base for action on climate risks, particularly heat & rainfall hazards in the built environment and supporting infrastructure systems. Key challenges for that request include generating evidence that includes climate uncertainties, or high impact climate possibilities, such as cascading risks (i.e. where impacts trigger wider system failures and exponential economic consequences). Addressing…
this requires the integration of scientific approaches from climate science, urban system dynamics, and hazard impact and valuation.
PhD project
This PhD studentship will integrate these disciplines into a novel framework that will improve risk assessments of extreme hazards and cascading risks in urban environments. Specifically it will; identify how the consequences of climate uncertainties can be tested in urban system models and how they influence cascading hazards & impact valuations; better embed evaluation techniques (monetary & non-monetary) into cascading risk assessments; examine how the propagation of quantifiable uncertainties across different systems (e.g. climate/urban system/valuation) influences the valuation & quality of evidence decision makers. To achieve this it will utilize probabilistic hazard modelling and valuation of impact chains in bi-directional hierarchical graphs linking physical urban assets to the critical societal services. The outcomes will help shape research into climate risk management, cascading risks in urban areas & adaptation planning, and be translated to support the generation of evidence for the UK’s Fifth CCRA (in 2030). The project will supported by experts in climate services, urban systems, and risk evaluation. The successful applicant will engage with a range of actors including local authorities, infrastructure owners, the Met Office and the UK’s Climate Change Commission.
Applicant Profile
We seek a candidate with first‑class or high 2:1 degree in a quantitative discipline such as Climate Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, and preferably a MSc in similar field. Ideally, candidates should have a demonstrated aptitude for coding, and some climate/weather or engineering knowledge in order to have a solid grounding for working within this interdisciplinary field. Please contact the lead supervisor if you have any questions.
Funding Notes
This project is part of the UNRISK CDT, which offers 15-18 fully-funded NERC studentships, covering full university tuition fees; a personal stipend at standard UKRI rates; £6000 individual research and training costs; £5000 (per student) of cohort-level training; and a ‘Flexible Fund’ for special projects.
International applicants will need to cover costs related to applying for a student visa and the international health surcharge (IHS)
Applications are open to UK and international applicants. The number of awards for international applicants is limited by UKRI rules.
More information is available on the UNRISK website: View Website
References
Some related reading on risk assessments, cascading risks, urban flooding:
Climate Change Committee (2026). UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2026 (CCRA4): Technical Report. London: Climate Change Committee. (Interdependency sections of chapters).
Dawkins, L.C., Bernie, D.J., Pianosi, F., Lowe, J.A., & Economou, T. (2023). Quantifying uncertainty and sensitivity in climate risk assessments. Climate Risk Management, 40, 100511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2023.100511
Lawrence, J., Blackett, P., & Cradock‑Henry, N.A. (2020). Cascading climate change impacts and implications. Climate Risk Management, 30, 100244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2020.100234
McClymont, K., Bedinger, M., Beevers, L., & Walker, G.H. (2023). Applying the urban systems abstraction hierarchy as a tool for flood resilience. Earth’s Future, 11(5), e2023EF003594.
Mehryar, S., et al. (2025). Heat risk interdependencies in the UK: Implications for adaptation. Earth’s Future, 13, e2024EF005797.
Vercruysse, K, Dawson, DA, Glenis, V et al. (3 more authors) (2019) Developing spatial prioritization criteria for integrated urban flood management based on a source-to-impact flood analysis. Journal of Hydrology, 578. 124038. ISSN: 0022-1694
Project supervisors
Associate Professor David Dawson
Career overview
David Dawson is an Associate Professor in the School of Earth & Environment at the University of Leeds, specifically within the Sustainability Research Institute. He has 17 years of experience in the design and integration of climate science, spatial approaches, and assessment appraisal to support policy and decisions on climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience. Dawson is motivated by applied, impact-driven research and is committed to translating scientific outputs into public and policy areas to enhance climate adaptation and sustainability at both local and national scales. He has collaborated closely with the UK Government, contributing to the development and delivery of guidance and responses on climate resilience. Additionally, he is a member of the BSI Adaptation Standards Committee. Before joining the School of Earth & Environment, Dawson began his research career in Geographical Sciences at Plymouth, progressing from researcher to independent researcher and then to lecturer in the School of Civil Engineering at Leeds. He has recently transitioned to the School of Earth & Environment, where he continues to work across engineering, environment, and social sciences to generate research outputs that assist society in addressing current and future climate change challenges. His primary research focus includes flood risk in coastal and urban environments, sustainable adaptation approaches, and spatial and appraisal methods to support climate adaptation in various contexts.
Research interests
David Dawson's research encompasses climate adaptation and resilience, focusing on coastal and urban infrastructure risks, system-based approaches, adaptation economics, and sustainable infrastructure. He has 17 years of experience in integrating climate science with spatial approaches and assessment appraisals to inform policy and decision-making regarding climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience. His work aims to translate scientific outputs into practical applications for improving climate adaptation and sustainability at both local and national levels. He has collaborated closely with the UK Government to develop guidance on climate resilience and is a member of the BSI Adaptation Standards Committee. His research has prominently featured flood risk management in coastal and urban settings, exploring sustainable adaptation strategies and spatial methods to support climate adaptation. Dawson has led and participated in numerous research projects, securing over £8 million in funding, including initiatives related to urban flood resilience and infrastructure adaptation.
Prof Jason Lowe
Prof Jason Lowe's profile is coming soon