Project title
Consumption of milk and plant-based dairy alternatives: implications for nutrition, household expenditure and environmental sustainability
Department/School
University of Reading, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Supervisors
- Dr Sokratis Stergiadis, University of Reading, Department of Animal Sciences (lead supervisor)
- Dr Michelle Cain, Cranfield university, Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Informatics
- Dr Miriam Clegg, University of Reading, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
- Dr Laurence Smith, University of Reading, Department of Applied Economics and Marketing
Project Overview
Milk is an affordable and the most nutrient-dense staple in human diets (>95% UK consumers) but dairy products are a source of saturated fats and contributes to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Additionally, consumers are concerned about dairy animals’ health/welfare; thus stimulating the replacement of dairy foods in human diets with costly plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs). Such unit volume replacement may promote deficiencies in milk-based nutrients already inadequate in many UK diets, causing non-communicable diseases in vulnerable groups which are at higher risk of associated deficiencies. Nutrient-fortified PBDAs can however deliver key nourishment in those with dairy allergy and lactose intolerance, but they are expensive and they are excluded from the Government Nursery and School Milk Schemes and Healthy Start Scheme. This disadvantages socioeconomic groups in lower incomes and ethnic groups with higher intolerance rates. To resolve this, the project will quantify the effect of replacing milk/dairy products with PBDAs on nutrient balance and environmental sustainability, and develop new affordable dietary patterns for optimal human and planetary health; via the following studies:
Eligibility
Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor Degree or equivalent in a related science (e.g. human nutrition, food science, animal science, biology, agriculture). An MSc in relevant science would be advantageous, but not essential.
Funding Details
This is a 3-year award and the start date is 9 January 2022 (negotiable). Funding covers full Home Student tuition fees plus UKRI stipend. For the definition of Home Student please see: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/Fees-and-funding/home-or-international and https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/eligibility-for-home-fee-status-and-student-support-in-england/ . International candidates are welcome to apply, but would be required to secure their own funding to cover the difference between the Home and International fees. In this case, evidence that additional funding has been secured must be presented at the time of the application.
How to apply
Send your CV and cover letter (up to 2 pages describing how your expertise aligns with the role and why you consider yourself to be an ideal candidate for the position) to Dr Sokratis Stergiadis [email protected] . In your email, please use “PhD Application – Milk – your last name” at the subject line. International students should also submit evidence that additional funding has been secured to cover the difference between the Home and International fees.
Application Deadline: 31 October 2022 (17:00 GMT)
Further enquiries: Dr Sokratis Stergiadis: [email protected]
Successful candidates will be informed via a formal studentship award letter, provided separately from any Offer of Admission. This will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria.