Ksenia Chmutina

Loughborough University in the United Kingdom is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position titled "Resilient Modernities: Twentieth-Century Urban Heritage in the Face of Climate and Social Change." This interdisciplinary project is situated within the School of Architecture, Building & Civil Engineering (Built Environment) and focuses on the challenges of protecting 20th-century urban heritage—including modernist cities and large-scale housing schemes—while addressing the impacts of climate change, social and spatial inequality, and infrastructure decay. The research aims to develop fair, practical, and sustainable frameworks that integrate urban heritage conservation, climate resilience, and community wellbeing. Key objectives include creating tools to assess the links between heritage value, climate and hazard risks, and social and economic conditions, as well as designing equitable adaptation strategies for vulnerable urban communities. The project supports long-term socio-ecological resilience and aims to ensure that heritage protection fosters inclusive, resilient cities rather than exacerbating inequality or displacement. Supervision will be provided by Dr Monia Del Pinto (primary) and Prof. Ksenia Chmutina (secondary), both based at Loughborough University. The university is recognized for its world-leading research impact (REF 2021). Entry requirements: Applicants should hold at least a 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant field such as Architecture, Urban Planning, Heritage Studies, Geography, Disaster Studies, or Sociology. Ideal candidates will have an interest or experience in 20th-century urban history and architecture, climate change and urban resilience, GIS or spatial analysis, heritage policy and governance, and fieldwork or community-based research. English language requirements apply. Funding: The position is fully funded for both UK and international students, covering full tuition fees and providing a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per year for three years. Application process: Applications must be submitted online. Required documents include a completed studentship application form, a 2–3 page research proposal based on the project description, and an updated CV. No personal statement is required. Applicants should use the programme name "Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering (Built Environment)" and project reference ABCE26-MDP. The application deadline is 22 February 2026, with start dates in October 2026 or February 2027. For further information, contact Dr Monia Del Pinto at [email protected]. Interested candidates passionate about climate justice, urban heritage, and resilient cities are encouraged to apply and help shape the future of modern urban environments.

Loughborough University is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity in the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering (ABCE), focusing on urban heritage management and climate change adaptation in modernist urban areas. The project, supervised by Dr Monia Del Pinto and Prof. Ksenia Chmutina, aims to develop an actionable framework that integrates heritage conservation, climate resilience, and residents' wellbeing. The research will address the challenges of conserving twentieth-century urban heritage, particularly in the context of increasing climate-induced threats and social inequalities. This interdisciplinary project will explore the built environment of the 20th century, including modernist cities and large-scale urban schemes, both within and outside the UK. It will analyze how these areas, often constructed for mass housing or industrial purposes, are now facing accelerated decay due to poor thermal performance and climate pressures. The project will also investigate how heritage designation and conservation can sometimes exacerbate social inequalities, leading to gentrification or exclusionary development policies. The core objective is to establish a rigorous and equitable framework for integrating the conservation of vulnerable urban heritage with strategies that enhance socio-ecological resilience and the long-term wellbeing of resident communities. The research will develop tools for assessing the intersection of heritage significance, local hazard profiles, and socio-economic structures to create sustainable adaptation pathways. Applicants should have at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as Architecture, Urban Planning, Heritage Studies, Geography, Disaster Studies, or Sociology. Ideal candidates will have an understanding of 20th-century urban history and architecture, familiarity with urban resilience and climate change adaptation, experience with GIS or spatial data analysis, knowledge of international heritage frameworks or policy-making, and experience with fieldwork or community engagement. The position is fully funded for both UK and international students, covering tuition fees and providing a stipend for three years. The application deadline is 22 February 2026, with start dates in October 2026 or February 2027. For more information and to apply, visit the project page or contact the supervisors.

This PhD project at Loughborough University, titled 'CARE: Climate Risk Evaluation Using Participatory Mapping for Flood-Prone and Data-Scarce Environments,' addresses the urgent challenge of urban flooding and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. Traditional flood risk models often focus narrowly on physical hazards, overlooking the lived experiences and coping strategies of those most affected. The project aims to develop fairer, more inclusive, and scientifically robust approaches to mapping urban flood risk by integrating community knowledge with advanced geospatial data science and disaster risk reduction methods. Supported by UNITAC and academic partners, the successful candidate will co-design participatory workshops with residents in flood-prone cities, gathering insights about local risks, safe and unsafe spaces, and community coping mechanisms. These insights will be digitised and scaled using open datasets such as WorldPop, OpenStreetMap, and satellite imagery, alongside advanced tools including GIS, Python, R, and small area estimation techniques. The resulting high-resolution risk maps will combine hazard, exposure, and vulnerability data to inform more effective and equitable flood risk management. The project is part of the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT) and offers a supportive, inclusive research environment, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds. Funding is provided through a UKRI Flood-CDT studentship, covering a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum and UK tuition fees for 3.5 years, with additional support for international candidates. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a strong undergraduate or Master’s degree in a relevant field and meet English language requirements. The application process involves submitting a statement of research interests, CV, academic transcripts, and language certificates. The project is ideal for candidates interested in combining community engagement, data science, and urban planning to address climate-related challenges.