Exploring Past, Present and Future of Food Sustainability Across Staffordshire (PhD Studentship) Keele University in United Kingdom

This fully funded PhD studentship at Keele University, starting in September 2026, offers an exciting opportunity to explore the past, present, and future of food sustainability across Staffordshire. Supported by the Economic & Social Sciences Research Council CASE studentship scheme (ESRC NWSSDTP), the project is delivered in partnership with Support Staffordshire, a charity supporting the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in the region.

The research aims to bridge academic and professional concerns, producing a PhD thesis with direct impact in a professional context. The student will work alongside Support Staffordshire, using mixed methods and transdisciplinary approaches to assess the evolution of the agrifood sector’s economic contribution, shaped by socio-political and policy changes. The study of food traditions and cultural heritage will help assess shifts in food demand, creating an evidence base for decision-making by local organisations and community groups. This evidence will inform new agrifood economic activities and future projects for Support Staffordshire.

The project is supervised by Dr Rosa Fernandez Martin (Senior Lecturer in Economics and Finance, Keele Business School), Dr Benjamin Anderson (Reader in Environmental History, School of Humanities and Social Sciences), and Nicola Lynes (Partnerships Manager – Nature and Food, Support Staffordshire). The PhD candidate will complete a 6-month placement with Support Staffordshire and have access to their offices and venues throughout the project.

Key research questions include: how food producers and consumers in Staffordshire have responded to changing food systems since 1947; the evolution and composition of stakeholder groups; barriers and opportunities for transforming the food system towards sustainability; the viability of alternative business models like community farming and market gardening; and the impact of regulatory and policy frameworks on local food practices.

Methodologically, the project combines archival research (using sources like The Midland Farmer, Farmers Weekly, National Archives, Staffordshire Archives, and Museum of English Rural Life), oral history interviews with food producers and consumer advocates, surveys at agrifood events, statistical data analysis (using data from Staffordshire County Council, DEFRA, House of Commons, and ONS), and comprehensive literature review. The interdisciplinary nature allows the student to tailor methods to their interests and skills.

Outputs include a PhD thesis, a policy paper launched through an event for non-academic audiences, academic papers, and presentations at conferences and symposiums. The research will provide a toolkit for understanding the connection between economic history and policymaking in food production.

Funding covers home tuition fees for 3.5 years (£5,006 per annum for 2025/26), a stipend (£20,780 per annum for 2025/26), and waives additional international fees for UKRI-funded studentships. The NWSSDTP’s Research Training Support Grant supports research-related expenses, including conference attendance, specialist training, transcription, and essential resources.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in relevant subjects (business, economics, history, agriculture, environmental science, or sociology), experience with mixed methods research, and meet Keele University’s English language requirements. Two academic references are required. The application deadline is March 20, 2026.

For further details and to apply, visit the project page or contact the DTP team at [email protected].