Business general project area

Scholarship opportunity

 This is an opportunity to undertake a fully funded Masters’ degree and an interdisciplinary PhD under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex. (All tuition fees are covered and an annual stipend provided throughout the Masters and PhD phases.)

The purpose of this programme is to train the next generation of interdisciplinary scholars with the skills and expertise to contribute to ‘sustainable transitions’ at local, national and international levels.

Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a business-related subject are invited to put forward a proposal for a PhD research project in the field of environment and sustainability relevant to business, accounting, finance, management, governance, commerce or trade. The successful applicant will then undertake one of the following Masters’ degrees commencing in January 2027 and further develop their research proposal before proceeding to the PhD phase:

• MSc Business Analytics
• MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship
• MSc International Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Research proposal

You are invited to submit a 1000 word (max) project area proposal that describes the area that you wish to research. This call for proposals is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application. The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team during the masters’ year and further during the PhD phase.

In your proposal you should identify ONE of the following four disciplines that you would like to integrate into your research to ensure that your project is interdisciplinary in nature:

• Law
• Sociology
• Government
• Life Sciences.

It is not necessary to have any prior knowledge of this additional discipline as you will be given training when you commence your PhD.

Training and support

You will receive a range of training and opportunities in the Masters’ phase of the programme. When you commence the PhD phase you will receive support through the Sustainable Transitions training programme, which offers interdisciplinary research methods, secondary discipline training, and ongoing development. Doctoral scholars also have access to £2,500 through Proficio for training courses and £10,000 for research and additional training. You may audit relevant courses and will be supported by both the Sustainable Transitions management team and your supervisory team. Additionally, all scholars can join the University of Essex’s Centre for Environment and Society, which provides events and networking opportunities.

Person specification

Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply:

• Not already have a Masters’ degree.
• Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies.

and/or

Be one of the following categories of ethnicity:

• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black Other
• Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed – White and Black African
• Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other)

Supervisory arrangements

A supervisor will be allocated in accordance with your specified area of focus.

Supervision

The primary discipline supervisor takes the lead responsibility for supervising the project. For further detail relating to supervision see the Guidance for Applicants (.docx) document.

Additional background information

Departmental lead: Dr Bedanand Upadhaya

We invite research proposals that aim to explore issues concerning the relationship between business and the environment, sustainability reporting, accounting for climate change, biodiversity reporting, accountability, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), waste management, circular economy, and climate finance, or any other topics related to the environment and business, management, accounting and finance. Candidates can explore such issues and challenges faced by  private (business) or public sector  or not-for-profit (NGOs) organisations operating in the UK or any other (developed or developing) countries around the world.

Applicants should indicate which one of the four other disciplines, (Law, Sociology, Life Science and Government) they would like to include their interdisciplinary PhD. Research proposals can be further developed in consultation with the supervisory team in their Masters’ year and also once the candidates progress into the PhD programme.

How to Apply

Full details available at Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme.