​​Scoping Design-led Ecological Transitions on the island of Ireland​

​​This study will explore the role that design practice can play in supporting high-impact green transitions—changes at a societial, materials and/or process level that result in sustainable outcomes—on the island of Ireland. The precise focus of these transitions (i.e., what specific social, material, and/or process contexts) will not prescribed in advance of commencing the project. Rather it is expected that the researcher will build a broad network of governmental, industrial and social stakeholders across the island who hold concerns relating to developing specific green transition strategies. Alongside these stakeholders they will also be expected to engage with the design community and professional design organisations (e.g., the IDI) to identify best practice and opportunities for further exploration.

​It is expected the research will be framed in three phases. The first initial phase of work will see a literature survey coupled with stakeholder mapping and case studies reviews. This will allow for a broad overview of potential contexts for the research and the challenges therein. A second phase will focus on stakeholder consultation, connecting with government, industry and social partners, as well as professional design organisations. The final phase will be design-orientated. Here, the researcher will be expected to work with specific groups or in specific contexts to prototype possible green transition strategies and frameworks for these groups/context.

​The all island focus of the study is expected to allow for the identification of gaps in design’s existing role in the green transition movement and organisation/governmental strategies.

​The outcome will be a package of all-island focused recommendations for specific green transitions which pertain to the groups/contexts of the study.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project

The University offers the following levels of support:

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

​​Buchanan, R., 2019. Systems Thinking and Design Thinking: The Search for Principles in the World We Are Making, She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, Vol 5, no. 2 (2019): 85–104

​Escobar, A., 2017. Designs for the Pluriverse: Radical Interdependence, Autonomy, and the Making of Worlds. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

​Fogarty, P., 2017. Whittled Away. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan Ltd.

​Fry, T., 2009. Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice. London: Berg.

​Gare, A., 2017. The Philosophical Foundations of Ecological Civilisation: A Manifesto for the Future. Abingdon: Routledge.

​Irwin, T., Kossoff, G., Tonkinwise, C., & Scupelli, P. (2015). Transition Design: A new area of design research, practice and study that proposes design-led societal transition toward more sustainable futures. Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie Mellon School of Design.

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