PhD Studentship: The Role of International Economic Law in Environmental Policy University of Essex in United Kingdom

[Fully funded masters degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD research degree. Includes £20,780, £2,500 for training courses, and £10,000 for research costs and further training.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at the University of Essex offers a unique opportunity for individuals from underrepresented groups to pursue advanced research at the intersection of international economic law and environmental policy. The position is part of the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ and includes a fully funded masters degree (such as LLM in Public International Law, LLM in Law, Environment and Sustainability, or LLM in International Human Rights Law and Economic Law) followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD.

The research project will explore how international economic law—encompassing both soft and hard law—facilitates or hinders environmental policy decision-making, outputs, and effectiveness. The project is set against the backdrop of a global policy crisis where environmental, economic, and national security challenges intersect. Candidates will investigate the dynamic relationships between trade, investment, finance, the environment, and international politics, employing a mixed-methods approach that includes legal analysis and secondary data analysis. The interdisciplinary nature of the project draws on both law and government to advance understanding of environmental governance.

Successful applicants will benefit from comprehensive training and support through the Sustainable Transitions programme, which provides initial and ongoing interdisciplinary research methods training, as well as access to the Proficio scheme (£2,500 for training courses) and an additional £10,000 for research costs and further training. Scholars will also join the University of Essex ‘Centre for Environment and Society’, gaining access to events and networking opportunities, and will be supported by a dedicated supervisory team and the Sustainable Transitions management team.

Eligibility is restricted to UK domiciled applicants who do not already hold a Master’s degree from the University of Essex and who are from a low-income household and/or specified underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. A background in law is required, with an interest in political science considered advantageous but not essential. The project area is broadly defined, allowing candidates to develop their own specific research proposal in consultation with their supervisors.

The application deadline is 13 April 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Essex postgraduate research opportunities portal.