GW4+ DLTP PhD Project: Rewilding the Built Environment – Enhancing University Campus Biodiversity

This GW4+ DLTP PhD project, hosted at the University of Bath in collaboration with Cardiff University, aims to develop a replicable framework for enhancing biodiversity on university campuses through rewilding the built environment. The project is highly interdisciplinary, integrating architecture, materials science, ecology, and environmental management to address the regeneration of biodiversity in urban ecosystems. Students will investigate how architectural and structural elements—such as roofs, façades, and stand-alone structures—can support biodiversity and habitat regeneration while maintaining their functional roles. The research will also explore the generalisability of these design elements across different built environments and assess the impact of construction materials, including the potential for incorporating natural materials without compromising durability or structural integrity. The project is designed to foster landscape-scale thinking and provide practical solutions for creating greener, more biodiverse academic environments. Students can tailor the project’s focus to their interests and expertise, whether in materials science, architectural design, or ecology. Training will be provided in regenerative architectural design principles, ecological survey methodologies, GIS analysis, stakeholder engagement, and science communication, equipping students to tackle challenges in urban biodiversity and sustainable campus development. The supervisory team includes Dr. Juliana Calabria-Holley and Dr. Taghried Abdel-Magid from the University of Bath’s Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, and Fredric Windsor from Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences. The project is eligible for a GW4+ DLTP studentship, which covers tuition fees, a stipend (£20,780 per annum in 2025/26), and a generous allowance for research expenses and travel. Studentships are open to both Home and International students, though international funding does not cover visa, healthcare surcharge, or relocation costs, and awards to international candidates are limited to 30% of the total. Applicants must hold, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree at 1st or 2.1 level, or an international equivalent, and non-UK applicants must meet the English language requirement before the deadline. The University of Bath values diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from under-represented groups and providing support for applicants with disabilities. The application deadline is January 8, 2026, and candidates must apply via the University of Bath’s online system, quoting the project title and supervisor’s name, and uploading a GW4+ DLTP Personal Statement.