Damian Maye

[£20,780 stipend for 2025/26, tax exempt. Fully funded Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences ESRC DTP studentship.] The University of Gloucestershire’s Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) is offering a fully funded PhD studentship focused on deliberative approaches to farm system climate adaptation in the Usk Valley. CCRI is internationally recognised for its research in agri-food, land-based business, and sustainable rural community development, with a strong emphasis on resilience, innovation, and transformation. This PhD will contribute to a growing body of work within CCRI, developing new methodologies to engage farmers and rural communities in debating and creating practical solutions for climate change. The project is funded through the Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership, connecting scholars and PhD students across Wales who are actively working on rural resilience topics. The successful candidate will join a vibrant community of researchers and have access to collaborative opportunities with the Welsh Government and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. The PhD aims to: (1) understand the perceived impacts of climate change on farms and their business models in the River Usk catchment; (2) use qualitative and catchment-level climate data to develop strategies for climate adaptation at farm and catchment scales, employing deliberative methods and serious games such as Climate Fresk; and (3) share findings with rural policy advisors and validate a climate adaptation game for Welsh farming systems. The project will leverage the farming community’s tacit knowledge and local climate data to translate everyday farming realities into actionable adaptation strategies. The supervisory team includes Professor Damian Maye, Dr Philippa Simmonds, and Dr Aimee Morse from CCRI, University of Gloucestershire, as well as Dr Sarah Jones (Welsh Government) and Professor Bridget Emmett (UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology). The studentship offers a stipend of £20,780 for 2025/26 (tax exempt) and is fully funded by the WGSSS ESRC DTP. Applicants should have a relevant undergraduate or master’s degree in environmental science, agriculture, geography, sociology, or a related field, and demonstrate a strong interest in rural resilience, climate adaptation, and participatory research methods. Applications must be submitted by midnight on 6 May 2026, including all required documents. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For further information and to apply, visit the University of Gloucestershire’s job portal or contact Chris Rayfield at [email protected], referencing 2022 072 04 Application. This opportunity is ideal for candidates passionate about environmental planning, rural community engagement, and innovative approaches to climate adaptation in agricultural systems.

The Countryside and Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire is offering a fully funded PhD studentship through the Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) and ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). This collaborative project, in partnership with the Welsh Government and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), focuses on deliberative approaches to farm system climate adaptation in the Usk Valley, South Wales. The PhD aims to: (1) understand the perceived impacts of climate change on farms and their business models within the Usk catchment; (2) use qualitative and catchment-level climate data to deliberate strategies for climate adaptation at both farm and catchment scales, utilizing the innovative ‘climate fresk’ method; and (3) share findings and recommendations with rural policy advisors and validate a climate adaptation game for Welsh farming systems. The project will engage with the farming community, leveraging both formal and informal knowledge, and will work closely with farmers, advisors, and stakeholders to co-produce adaptation strategies. The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Damian Maye, Dr Philippa Simmonds, and Dr Aimee Morse at the University of Gloucestershire, with additional advisory input from Dr Sarah Jones (Welsh Government) and Professor Bridget Emmett (UKCEH). The research will be based at the Countryside and Community Research Institute, with the possibility of initial training at Cardiff University for those requiring a master's research component. This studentship is open to applicants from a range of social science backgrounds, including rural studies, environmental management, sociology, and human geography. Both home and international students are eligible, with international students not charged the fee difference. All WGSSS-funded students must complete a funded Research in Practice placement (3 months full-time or part-time equivalent) in academia, policy, business, or civil society. The funding package includes full tuition fees, an annual tax-free stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (£20,780 for 2025-26 full-time), and access to a Research Training Support Grant. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) may be available for eligible students. The duration of study is typically 3.5 years for the PhD or 4.5 years for MSc + PhD, depending on prior experience and training needs. Applicants must hold (or expect to hold) a UK first or upper second-class honours degree or a master's degree, or have equivalent experience. Non-traditional backgrounds are welcome. Proof of English language competency may be required. The application deadline is midnight on 6 May 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview (expected 14 May 2026), including a presentation and panel questions. The successful applicant will be notified by the end of May 2026. To apply, submit all required documents (covering letter, WGSSS application form, academic CV, two references, degree certificates and transcripts, and proof of English language competency if relevant) to Chris Rayfield ([email protected]), referencing ‘2022-072-04 Application’. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For project queries, contact Professor Damian Maye ([email protected]). For more information, see the FindAPhD listing or the Climate Fresk website .