Harriet Thomson

This unique PhD scholarship, jointly hosted by the University of Glasgow and the University of Sydney, investigates the legibility and accessibility of energy support systems in Australia and Great Britain. As energy poverty becomes increasingly prevalent due to rising living costs and extreme weather, policies for energy poverty relief are more common, yet administrative burdens—such as complex paperwork, intrusive checks, and difficult-to-navigate websites—often prevent vulnerable populations from accessing support. The project aims to identify where current systems place additional burdens, who bears these burdens, and how they might be alleviated. Using frameworks of administrative burden and Design Thinking, the successful candidate will conduct a cross-case comparison between Australia and Great Britain, exploring differences in policy design for energy poverty relief. Both countries are undergoing substantial policy reform, including the Better Consumer Energy Experiences review in Australia and the Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy in England. Findings from this research could directly inform future policy design to reduce administrative obstacles. The PhD is embedded within the public policy cluster in the Government and International Relations discipline at USYD and the Urban Studies and Social Policy discipline at UofG, both within Schools of Social and Political Sciences. The project is closely aligned with the Sydney Environment Institute, Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy, and the Centre for Public Policy, offering broad research training and mentorship opportunities. Eligibility requires a First Class Honours degree or a Master's by Research with outstanding results (at least 80%) or overseas equivalent. Applicants must be able to study full-time, demonstrate interest in the topic, enroll/register at both institutions, and spend time physically based at each during the PhD, starting at University of Glasgow. Experience in either quantitative experiment design or in-depth qualitative approaches is essential, with evidence such as relevant courses, prior projects, or referee vouching. The scholarship provides an annual maintenance grant (stipend) at the UKRI rate, fees at the standard home or international rate, a Research Training Support Grant up to £940 per year, a one-off travel grant up to £3,000 for travel between Glasgow and Sydney, and no tuition fees for the USYD PhD programme. The home institution will be University of Glasgow, with years one and three spent there and year two at University of Sydney. The programme commences in January 2027, and the application deadline is April 21, 2026. To apply, follow the link provided, ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, and prepare documentation of academic qualifications and research experience. For further information, contact the College of Social Sciences at University of Glasgow.