Applications are invited for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) PhD scholarships in the Sheffield Business School, commencing 1 October 2025.

The GTA scholarship scheme aims to develop highly skilled postgraduate researchers with further information on the University’s PhD scholarships available in the Conditions of Award document.

Sheffield Business School

Accredited by AASCB, the Business School is among the top 6% of business schools globally. Our ambition is to be a world leading applied business school. We are proud of our research impact, industry collaboration and commitment to regional development through Sheffield Hallam University's Civic University Agreement . You can learn more about research in the Business School here .

Project title: Accounting and the translation of sustainability strategy into organisational practice

The last few years have seen an increased attention on organisational performance in relation to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. This is exemplified by the European Union’s sustainability framework including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and attendant European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) which mandate larger companies to report on the impact of their activities in relation to a range of ESG issues including climate change, biodiversity and human rights. However, this attention has been in relation to the external reporting of performance to enable investors to understand the sustainability impact of companies in which they invest with little attention being paid to understanding decision making processes and organisational practices which create the ESG performance being reported on.

Indeed, we know very little about how organisations develop their sustainability strategies and how these are translated into practice within the organisation. We know even less about what role accounting and the accountant plays in this process. While there is a growing recognition that accounting has a significant role in putting sustainability at the heart of organisational decision making and championing environmentally and socially responsible practices, very little is known about if or how this is being done in practice, how these changes are impacting on the accountants role in respect to sustainability and what new skills and knowledge are required of the accountant in this changing landscape. This project aims to address these questions.

Supervisors: Dr Caroline Linhares, Prof Amanze Ejigou

If you are interested in this project, and would like to discuss your ideas, please contact Dr Caroline Linhares ( [email protected] ).

GTA scholarships are open to Home, EU and International applicants . The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study (pro-rata part time) and covers PhD fees and pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate of £20,974 per year in the academic year 24/25.

To apply you need to meet our entry requirements and provide:

·      A complete online application form for the October 2025 intake, available here . This includes:

· A research proposal . Maximum word count: 1,500 words.

· A personal statement . We want to learn more about you. In the personal statement you must answer these four questions. Please include the title of the project you are applying for in the Personal Statement section of the application form. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question and including specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional):

1.    What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project?

2.    How did you come up with your project proposal?

3.    What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you?

4.    Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences.

· Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts (All applicants should hold a strong, relevant undergraduate degree (2.1 minimum) and/or a relevant master’s qualification (merit minimum)).

· Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.

· Copies of your passport and any relevant visas.

International Students

International students* will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score of 7.0 or above with no score below 6.5 in the other components or equivalent. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date; or

2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit minimum) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

* UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you're a national of one of these countries, you won't need to provide evidence as listed above.

For further information regarding our entry requirements, please visit the course page .

Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University, whilst in receipt of the scholarship.

Closing date for applications: 12 noon (BST) on Wednesday 23 ^rd April 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews will take place during the week commencing 2 ^nd June.

Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions.