PhD Studentship: Political Economy of the Environment and Development University of Essex in United Kingdom

[Home tuition fee waiver. Living costs stipend at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level per year (£20,780 for 2025-26). Research allowance of £10,000 in total for authorised research costs. Additional £2,500 through Proficio for training courses.]

The University of Essex invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship in the Political Economy of the Environment and Development, offered under the Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme. This unique opportunity is designed for UK-domiciled applicants from underrepresented groups, providing a fully funded master’s degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD research degree.

The project explores how green industrial policies, such as those outlined in the UK’s Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, are reshaping development opportunities and international cooperation. Key research themes include the economic benefits of the green economy, pathways to net zero by 2050, inequalities, risk exposure, and the resilience of supply chains at both regional and global levels. The research is interdisciplinary, drawing on political science, development studies, political economy, and economics, and aims to understand how green policies affect people and institutions, identifying winners and losers and anticipating future developments.

Applicants should have a strong undergraduate degree with substantial exposure to the political economy of environment and development. Candidates with backgrounds in law or international law are also encouraged to apply. Prior training in international development or environmental governance is not required, as comprehensive training will be provided through the Sustainable Transitions programme. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop their own research proposal within the broad project area, with support from a supervisory team and the Sustainable Transitions management.

Doctoral scholars benefit from a home tuition fee waiver, a living stipend at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level (£20,780 for 2025-26), a research allowance of £10,000 for authorised research costs, and an additional £2,500 through Proficio for training courses. All scholars join the University’s Centre for Environment and Society, gaining access to events and networking opportunities. The programme also offers interdisciplinary research training, secondary discipline training, and ongoing professional development.

Eligibility is restricted to UK-domiciled applicants who do not already hold a Master’s degree and are from a low-income household background (evidenced by receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during undergraduate studies) and/or belong to specified underrepresented ethnic groups (Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed – White and Black Caribbean, Mixed – White and Black African, or other mixed backgrounds including Black African, Black Caribbean, and Black Other).

The application deadline is 13 April 2026. For further details and to apply, visit the University of Essex postgraduate research opportunities page.