PhD Studentship: Building Energy Commons – Law, Governance, and Community Power in African Renewable Energy Transitions University of Essex in United Kingdom

[Fully funded masters degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD. Includes £20,780 stipend, £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 a masters degree followed by an interdisciplinary PhD under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’. The project, titled 'Building Energy Commons: Law, Governance, and Community Power in African Renewable Energy Transitions', focuses on the development and scaling of renewable energy communities (RECs) in East and West Africa. It aims to investigate the institutional, social, and environmental conditions that enable effective local energy governance, with a particular emphasis on how international, regional, and national environmental rights frameworks can guide equitable and participatory REC development.

The research is highly interdisciplinary, integrating sustainable energy governance, cooperative management, and environmental law. Key themes include organisational democracy, community ownership models, and participatory energy decision-making. The methodology will involve case studies, qualitative interviews, stakeholder workshops, and policy and regulatory analysis, linking organisational practice with rights-based governance. The project is designed to strengthen inclusive, resilient, and rights-based community energy futures in Africa and globally.

Successful applicants will benefit from comprehensive training and support through the Sustainable Transitions programme, including initial and ongoing interdisciplinary research methods training, secondary discipline training, and access to the Proficio fund (£2,500 for training courses) and an additional £10,000 for research costs and further training. All doctoral scholars will join the University of Essex ‘Centre for Environment and Society’, gaining access to events and networking opportunities. The programme encourages auditing of relevant masters and degree-level courses and provides support from both the Sustainable Transitions management team and a dedicated supervisory team.

Eligibility is restricted to UK domiciled applicants who do not already hold a Master’s degree and are from a low-income household background and/or 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). A background in management, sustainability, or development studies is preferred, but prior training in law is not required as it will be provided during the programme. Applicants are expected to develop their own research proposal within the broad project area, with further refinement in consultation with the supervisory team.

The studentship provides a stipend of £20,780, full tuition coverage, and additional funds for training and research expenses. The application deadline is 13 April 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Essex postgraduate research opportunities page.