From Conflict to Coexistence: How Can New Biodiversity Finance Approaches Promote Elephants and Humans Living in Harmony? Bangor University in United Kingdom

This fully funded PhD project at Bangor University, in partnership with WWF UK and WWF Indonesia, explores innovative biodiversity finance approaches to promote coexistence between humans and elephants in Sumatra, Indonesia. The research is embedded within the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative (PECI), a high-profile programme in Aceh province, which aims to protect the critically endangered Sumatran elephant, restore habitats, reduce human-elephant conflict, and strengthen community livelihoods through agroforestry and a nature-first local economy.

The project responds to the Global Biodiversity Framework’s call for effective management of human-wildlife interactions and increased private sector involvement in conservation funding. It will pilot new financing models, moving beyond traditional grants to include private sector investment, with the goal of sustaining long-term conservation outcomes. The research will assess the impact of interventions on pro-environmental behaviours, leveraging existing datasets and preliminary work by WWF Indonesia, and will involve substantial fieldwork in Sumatra.

Applicants will be based at Bangor University (UK) and will collaborate closely with partners at WWF UK and WWF Indonesia. The project cannot be undertaken remotely and requires fieldwork in rural Sumatra. The duration of study is 3.5 to 4.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent), depending on prior research experience and training needs. All WGSSS funded students must complete a funded Research in Practice placement (3 months total) in academia, policy, business, or civil society organisations.

Funding is provided by the Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences and WWF UK, covering tuition fees, an annual tax-free stipend (£20,780 for 2025-26 full-time), and a Research Training Support Grant. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) may be available. Both UK and international students are eligible, with up to 30% of the cohort comprising international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between UK and international rates but may need to cover relocation costs.

Essential requirements include a UK honours degree (first or upper second-class) or a master's in a relevant subject, strong intellectual ability, project management skills, initiative, understanding of biodiversity conservation and/or rural livelihoods, excellent English communication, resilience, and the ability to work independently and across cultures. Fieldwork in rural Sumatra is required. Desirable qualifications include proficiency in Bahasa Indonesian, experience in social science research and fieldwork in Southeast Asia, and knowledge of statistical and spatial analysis (especially using R).

Applications must be submitted by email to Dr Leejiah Dorward ([email protected]) by 12:00 midnight on 5 May 2026. Required documents include the WGSSS Application Form, a two-page academic CV, two academic or professional references, degree certificates and transcripts, and proof of English language competency if relevant. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview via Teams on 18 May, including a presentation and panel questions.

For further details, see the FindAPhD listing or the Bangor University project page.