Welfare and Distributional Effects of Energy-Affordability and Debt: Consumer Policy Beyond the Energy Crisis (PhD Studentship) University of Sheffield in United Kingdom

The ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) offers a collaborative PhD studentship at the University of Sheffield’s School of Economics, focusing on the welfare and distributional effects of energy affordability and debt in the UK. This research opportunity is designed to address critical issues in the energy sector, including household energy-debt, arrears, and the effectiveness of consumer policy beyond the energy crisis. The project is conducted in close partnership with the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, and the national fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action (NEA), providing students with unique access to policy and practice environments.

The successful candidate will undertake theoretical and econometric research to analyze the welfare impacts and distributional characteristics of energy debt among UK households. The project may also explore the uptake of support for installing 'win-win' technologies that promote affordable and sustainable energy consumption. Data sources such as Understanding Society and the Smart Energy Research Lab will be utilized to inform evidence-based policy recommendations for practitioners and policymakers.

Supervision is provided by a multidisciplinary team: Dr Andrew Burlinson, Dr Eleni Stathopoulou, Professor Karl Taylor (University of Sheffield), Dr Daire McCoy (Ofgem, LSE), and Matt Copeland (NEA). The studentship includes a compulsory 3-month ‘Research in Practice’ placement at Ofgem’s headquarters in London, offering valuable real-world experience and professional development.

Funding covers full tuition fees (Home or Overseas rate), an annual maintenance grant at the standard RCUK rate (minimum £21,805 for 2026/27), paid in regular instalments, and a Research and Training Support Grant. The award is available for full-time or part-time study, with flexible durations depending on prior academic experience and social science research training. All WRDTP studentships include the ‘Research in Practice’ placement.

Applicants must have, or expect to obtain, a Master’s degree with Merit (or international equivalent) and a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in Economics or a related subject. Competent spoken and written English is required; non-native speakers must provide IELTS (6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each component) or TOEFL iBT (90) scores unless they hold a degree from an English-speaking university. Application materials include a cover letter/supporting statement, certificates and academic transcripts, two academic references, academic CV, and an example of written work.

The application deadline is 9 March 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. Candidates can only be nominated by one WRDTP university, and the nominated student will be quality checked and approved by the WRDTP Academic Quality Committee. The studentship will commence on 1 October 2026.

The University of Sheffield and WRDTP are committed to fostering a diverse and supportive research environment. Applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and the LGBT+ community are actively encouraged.

For further information, contact Dr Andrew Burlinson ([email protected]) or visit the project page. Apply via the University of Sheffield Postgraduate Application System and complete the WRDTP Studentship Application Form as part of the nomination process.