Details
The ACCE DTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or religious belief, pregnancy or maternity, parental or caring responsibilities or career pathway to date. We understand that a student’s potential can be shown in many ways and we strive to recruit students from all backgrounds, and support them on their scientific journey.
We have designed our application systems to identify candidates who are likely to be successful in research regardless of what opportunities may have been available to them prior to their application.
Various support and guidance on applying for an ACCE DTP studentship, including how to apply; what we’re looking for (including our assessment rubric); details of financial support, training, and placement opportunities available; and details of our recruitment process, can be found at accedtp.ac.uk, in the ‘prospective applicants’ tab.
Project Overview
Climate change adaptation requires diverse food systems created by introducing novel crops. In this project, the student will work in partnership with Food Works Sheffield (https://thefoodworks.org/) to develop the knowledge, experience and stakeholder relationships needed to diversify and adapt local foodscapes to climate change in culturally appropriate ways. The project arises from the recognition that a wider diversity of crops could potentially be grown in the UK climate, but these are either absent or not widely produced for historical reasons.
The introduction of novel, climate-ready crops into the UK food system could have particular significance for immigrant communities who are unable to access culturally important foods, as well as being a mechanism through which diets may be diversified for a wider population. However, any intervention intending to diversify the food available for a group of marginalized consumers will only be successful if it builds on existing knowledges and foodways. The adoption of climate-ready crops and the diversification of diets in a culturally appropriate way provides multiple co-benefits, especially relating to food insecurity and poor dietary health, which are serious problems in the UK.
In partnership with Food Works, the student will: 1. Use species range modelling and historical data processing to understand which food crops are suitable for a changing UK climate. 2. Engage with local immigrant communities to understand which of these crops are culturally important but unavailable locally. 3. Trial local growing practices for a selection of these novel food products, and develop the means to process, cook and/or distribute them in ways that are acceptable for partner communities.
The PhD will provide the student with experience of interdisciplinary working and engagement with various stakeholders. The combination of discipline-specific, interdisciplinary, and transferable skills should make the student highly employable for sustainability roles in public, private and third sectors.
Essential Criteria
- Bachelors or masters degree in a relevant subject area (e.g. biological or environmental sciences, geography, horticulture, agriculture)
- Ability to formulate and solve problems
- Capability to work unassisted and within a team
Desirable Criteria
It would be advantageous to have experience of one or more approaches needed for the research e.g.
- working in a field environment
- computer modelling
- statistical methods
- qualitative methods
How to Apply
Notes and details of how to apply are available here: https://accedtp.ac.uk/phd-opportunities/
All applicants to ACCE must complete the ACCE personal statement proforma. This is instead of a personal/supporting statement or cover letter. The proforma is designed to standardise this part of the application to minimise the difference between those who are given support and those who are not. Candidates should also submit a cv and the contact details of 2 referees.
Informal enquiries may be made to [email protected]
Part-Time Study Options
All ACCE PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme.
Project CASE Status
This project is not a CASE project. While individual applicant quality is our overriding criterion for selection, the ACCE DTP has a commitment for 40% of all studentships to be CASE funded - as such, CASE projects may be favoured in shortlisting applicants when candidates are otherwise deemed to be equal or a consensus on student quality cannot be reached. This will only be done as a last resort for separating candidates.
Funding Information
NERC ACCE DTP programme starts from October 2024.
UKRI provide the following funding for 3.5 years:
• Stipend (2023/24 UKRI rate £18,622)
• Tuition Fees at UK fee rate (2023/24 rate £4,712)
• Research support and training grant (RTSG)
Note - UKRI funding only covers UK (Home) fees. The DTP partners have various schemes which allow international students to join the DTP but only be required to pay home fees. Home fees are already covered in the UKRI funding, meaning that successful international candidates do not need to find any additional funding for fees.