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

[£20,780 per annum studentship.]

The University of Bristol Business School, in collaboration with the EPSRC-funded Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub (CARMA), is offering a fully funded PhD studentship focused on consumer psychology and cellular agriculture. This interdisciplinary project aims to identify and quantify the psychological and social factors that shape consumer perceptions and adoption barriers regarding cellular agriculture technologies, such as cultured meat. The research will provide insights into attitudinal, affective, and cognitive factors influencing willingness to try and consume these novel foods, and will explore interventions to bridge the gap between intention and actual consumption.

Supervised by Dr Jasmina Stevanov and Professor Brian Squire, the doctoral candidate will be embedded within the wider CARMA project, specifically contributing to work package 5, which analyses the societal impact of cellular agriculture and explores how various groups—including the public, professionals, stakeholders, and policymakers—perceive the technology and its potential futures. The ambition is to foster robust, evidence-informed discussions about the future of food and sustainable innovation.

The successful candidate will be expected to master a range of research methods, including online and in-person surveys, behavioural experiments, and advanced psychophysiological techniques such as eye-tracking and biosignal recording (heart rate, skin conductance, EEG). Prior experience with these methods is advantageous. The University of Bristol Business School offers access to cutting-edge research facilities, including the world-first Smart Cinema, the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, and the MyWorld facility, all of which support the capture and analysis of 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. The studentship provides an annual stipend of £20,780. Applicants should hold a first-class or strong upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in Marketing, Psychology, Neuroscience, Behavioural Science, or a related quantitative social science. A relevant master’s degree is desirable but not essential for exceptional candidates.

Application is a two-stage process: first, submit a mandatory Expression of Interest (EOI) form; shortlisted candidates will then be invited to submit a formal application via the University of Bristol’s online portal. The application deadline is 3 March 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the official application page.