Finance Under Water? Assessing Flood Risk in Banking and Insurance Systems (Ref: FCDT-26-LU7) Loughborough University in United Kingdom

This PhD project, based at Loughborough University Business School, addresses the urgent challenge of flood risk in the UK’s banking and insurance sectors as climate change increases the frequency and severity of flooding. The project aims to bridge critical gaps in current financial risk assessment by integrating advanced flood science with financial economics. Students will use high-resolution flood models and property data to map and analyze the spatial and temporal evolution of flood hazards, then link these insights to loan portfolios and insurance datasets.

The research will develop innovative tools to assess how flood risk impacts insurers’ ability to provide coverage and banks’ credit and liquidity, ultimately informing more robust stress-testing frameworks for financial institutions. The PhD offers advanced training in catastrophe modelling, spatial data analysis, and financial risk assessment, and includes a research placement at Willis Towers Watson, providing real-world experience in the insurance and banking industries. Collaboration with the Environment Agency ensures the research has strategic impact.

The project is part of the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT), and is supported by a UKRI-funded studentship covering a stipend and tuition fees. Applicants should have a strong academic background (2:1 honours degree and a Masters with at least 65% average or international equivalent) and meet English language requirements (IELTS 7.0 in all components).

The application process requires a research statement, CV, academic transcripts, and proof of English proficiency. The deadline for applications is January 8, 2026. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the supervisors for project-specific queries and to familiarize themselves with FLOOD-CDT before applying.