PhD Studentship in War and Climate Change

[Full tuition fees plus UKRI stipend (£20,780 in 2025/26) for 4 years.] The University of Reading is offering a fully funded PhD studentship titled 'Towards Greener Wars', focusing on the intersection of war, military operations, and climate change. This research opportunity addresses the significant yet often overlooked greenhouse gas emissions produced by military activities, which are largely excluded from current international and national climate law and policy frameworks. The successful candidate will explore topics such as the application of climate law to military operations, the relevance of international humanitarian law to climate impacts, and the development of policy recommendations for decarbonizing military activities. Supervised by Dr. Saeed Bagheri and Professor Benoit Mayer, the project encourages a legal research approach, aiming to clarify existing legal norms and policy initiatives at both international and domestic levels. The studentship provides comprehensive training in legal research methods during the first year, supporting the design and execution of the candidate’s research project. In addition to resources within the School, students will have access to a wide range of training opportunities through the Doctoral and Researcher College. Funding for this position includes full tuition fees and a UKRI stipend of £20,780 for the 2025/26 academic year, with the award lasting four years. The studentship is open to both UK and international applicants. Candidates should hold or expect to obtain a master’s degree or equivalent with a substantial law component. Applicants are required to submit a research proposal and a current CV detailing their academic background and relevant experience. The application process involves creating an account via the provided online portal, selecting ‘PhD in Law’, and quoting the reference ‘DRC26-005’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box within the Funding Section. The deadline for applications is 30 January 2026, and the programme is set to begin in September 2026. For further details, prospective applicants may contact Dr. Saeed Bagheri at [email protected]. Successful candidates will receive a formal studentship award letter, subject to standard eligibility checks.