PhD Studentship in the Political Economy of the Environment and Development University of Essex in United Kingdom

[Home tuition fee waiver; living costs stipend at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level, £21,805 for 2026-27; £10,000 research allowance in total for authorised research costs; additional access to £2,500 through Proficio for training courses.]

This University of Essex PhD studentship explores the political economy of the environment and development within the Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme. The project examines how green industrial policies, including the UK’s Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, shape development opportunities, international cooperation, inequalities, risk exposure, and the resilience of supply chains at regional and global levels.

The opportunity is designed for an applicant from an underrepresented group and includes a fully funded master’s degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD. The studentship is especially relevant to candidates with a background in law or international law, and the university also welcomes applicants with strong preparation in the political economy of environment and development. A prior degree in international development or environmental governance is not required, as relevant training will be provided through the programme.

The project sits at the intersection of political science, development studies, political economy, and economics. The successful researcher will investigate how green industrial policies affect people, how political and economic institutions change in response, who benefits and who bears the costs, and what these dynamics may mean for future development pathways. The topic is broad, allowing the applicant to develop a tailored research proposal in consultation with the supervisory team.

Training and support are a major part of the studentship. Scholars receive interdisciplinary research training, secondary discipline training, and ongoing development support. They may also access £2,500 through Proficio for training courses and £10,000 for research and additional training, as well as audit relevant courses. All scholars join the University of Essex’s Centre for Environment and Society, gaining access to events, networking, and an academic community focused on environmental and societal challenges.

Funding includes a home tuition fee waiver and a living costs stipend of £21,805 for 2026-27 at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level, plus a £10,000 research allowance for authorised costs such as supplies, equipment, and fieldwork. The application deadline is 14 September 2026 at 11:59 pm BST.

Eligibility is restricted to UK domiciled applicants who do not already hold a Master’s degree and who come from a low-income household background and/or one of the specified ethnic groups listed in the call. This is a strong fit for candidates interested in climate policy, sustainable transitions, development politics, global governance, and the socioeconomic consequences of green industrial change.