PHD Studentship - CCRI

About the PhD project and the role

The Countryside and Community Research Institute at University of Gloucestershire are delighted to offer a fully funded Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences WGSSS ESRC DTP studentship in the Environmental Planning Pathway starting in October 2026. The collaborative studentship is entitled: Adapting for change: deliberative approaches to farm system climate adaptation in the Usk Valley in collaboration with Welsh Government and UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

The supervisory team consists of Professor Damian Maye, Dr Philippa Simmonds, Dr Aimee Morse (CCRI, University of Gloucestershire), Dr Sarah Jones (Welsh Government), and Professor Bridget Emmett (UKCEH).

PhD aims

The PhD will: firstly, understand perceived impacts of climate change on farms and their business models in the catchment; secondly, deliberate using qualitative and catchment level climate data in Climate Fresk strategies for climate adaptation at farm and catchment scales; and thirdly, share findings and recommendations for learning with farming and rural policy advisors, and validate a Climate Fresk climate adaptation game for Welsh farming systems.

The student will utilise the farming community's tacit knowledge and local climate data from the River Usk catchment to develop a Climate Fresk that translates everyday farming realities into a set of strategies for climate adaptation across the farming system. The PhD will adapt the Climate Fresk - a serious game designed to inform the public about climate change and consider solutions for the future - to engage farmers in connecting their farm systems.

Key dates

Interview date: 14th May 2026

How to apply

Applications should be received no later than Midnight on 6 May 2026, including all required documents. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.

All applications should be submitted to Chris Rayfield () with the subject line "Reference Application".

• Covering letter - two pages maximum: address to Professor Damian Maye and name the collaborative studentship being applied for.
• Two academic or professional references - the applicant must approach referees themselves and include references that detail the applicant's research strengths.
• Degree certificates and transcripts - including translations if applicable.
• Proof of English language competency, if relevant - see institutional requirements for entry.