Government 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.

Eligible applicants with an undergraduate degree in political science or a related subject are invited to put forward a proposal for a PhD research project in the field of environment and sustainability as it relates to government or political science (see below for eligibility criteria under person specification). The successful applicant will then undertake one of the following masters’ degree commencing in January 2027 and further develop their research proposal before proceeding to the PhD phase:

• MA Politics
• MPP Master of Public Policy 

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 Zeta Bakaki

Pursuing a PhD in Government focused on environmental sustainability offers a unique opportunity to address some of the most pressing challenges facing societies today. Climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and environmental inequality are fundamentally political issues that require effective governance, institutions, and public policies.

A doctoral degree in this field enables researchers to investigate the political, institutional, and societal factors that shape environmental sustainability outcomes. Environmental challenges often involve competing interests, unequal distribution of costs and benefits, and complex interactions between local, national, and international actors. A PhD provides the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to analyse these dynamics in depth. Researchers can examine how governments design and implement environmental policies, how international agreements influence state behaviour, and how businesses, civil society organizations, and citizens contribute to or resist sustainability initiatives. The field also explores the role of public opinion, political trust, misinformation, and social movements in shaping support for environmental action.

By applying advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods, doctoral students can identify the conditions under which environmental policies are most effective, evaluate the impact of governance arrangements, and generate evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. In doing so, they contribute not only to academic knowledge but also to practical solutions that can improve environmental governance and support sustainable development in diverse political and social contexts.

Environmental sustainability is increasingly central to national and international policy agendas. Governments around the world are developing strategies to achieve climate targets, promote renewable energy, protect ecosystems, and ensure a just transition to a low-carbon economy. Political scientists play an essential role in evaluating these efforts, identifying barriers to implementation, and proposing solutions that balance environmental protection with economic and social priorities.

Graduates are well positioned to influence policy, conduct impactful research, and contribute to public debates on environmental sustainability.

How to Apply

Full details available at Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme.