PhD Studentship: Consumer Perceptions of Cellular Agriculture University of Bristol in United Kingdom

[£20,780 per annum stipend.]

The University of Bristol Business School, in collaboration with CARMA—the EPSRC-funded Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub—offers a fully funded PhD studentship focused on consumer psychology and cellular agriculture. This research opportunity aims to explore the psychological and social factors influencing consumer perceptions and adoption of cultured meat and related technologies. The project is embedded within the wider CARMA initiative, specifically work package 5, which analyses the societal impact of cellular agriculture and investigates how various groups, including the public, professionals, stakeholders, and policymakers, perceive the technology and its potential futures.

Supervised by Dr Jasmina Stevanov and Professor Brian Squire, the doctoral candidate will investigate attitudinal, affective, and cognitive factors that shape willingness to try and consume cultured meat. The research will also explore interventions to bridge the gap between consumer intentions and actual consumption. The candidate will employ a range of methods, including online and in-person surveys, behavioural experiments, and advanced psychophysiological techniques such as eye-tracking and biosignal recording (heart rate, skin conductance, and EEG). Prior experience with these methods is advantageous but not strictly required.

The University of Bristol Business School provides access to unique research facilities, including the world-first Smart Cinema, the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, and the MyWorld facility, all designed to capture psychological and emotional responses from audiences. The project will be based at the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, a multidisciplinary research and teaching facility in central Bristol, bringing together expertise in business, digital engineering, computer science, and innovation.

Applicants should hold a first-class honours degree (or international equivalent) or a strong upper second-class honours (2:1) in Marketing, Psychology, Neuroscience, Behavioural Science, or another quantitatively oriented social science discipline. A relevant master’s degree is desirable, but exceptional bachelor-level candidates will also be considered. The studentship offers a stipend of £20,780 per annum.

The application process consists of two stages: first, submit a mandatory Expression of Interest (EOI) form outlining your academic background, methodological skills, and project alignment. Only candidates who receive a positive response will be invited to submit a formal application via the University of Bristol’s online portal. Select 'Management (PhD)' when applying. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2026.

This studentship provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to evidence-informed discussions about the future of food, develop expertise in consumer psychology and cellular agriculture, and work within a multidisciplinary environment at a leading UK institution.