PhD Studentship: Transitions to sustainability, net-zero and a circular economy: socio-technical systems in construction and infrastructure projects

Funding

EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant of £19,237 per year for 3.5 years.  An additional top up of £3,000 per year for 3.5 years is also available to previous graduates of the University of Leeds.

Lead Supervisor’s full name & email address

Dr William Collinge – [email protected]  

Co-supervisor name(s)

Dr Dicle Kortantamer – [email protected]

Dr Jose Juarez Cornelio – [email protected]

Project summary 

Sustainability, net-zero and the circular economy are now priorities for the construction industry and those commissioning, designing and delivering projects.  The transition to sustainable construction embraces multiple actors and stakeholders, including government, technology providers, project organisations, employees and clients. Socio-technical systems theory provides a potentially rich and valuable perspective from which to examine and understand the processes at play in the UK construction industry regarding sustainability, net-zero and the drive to circular economy solutions. 

This research project provides an opportunity for an in-depth study of construction industry work around sustainability, net-zero and the circular economy using socio-technical systems theory, concepts and methodologies.  The study will be open to the applicant`s proposed directions (e.g. technologies; people management; organisational change). 

Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background

First or Upper Second Class UK Bachelor (Honours) or equivalent from a variety of relevant backgrounds, such as project management, construction management, civil engineering, social sciences and environmental engineering.

Subject Area

Civil & Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering

Keywords

Circular Economy, Civil Engineering, Construction Project Management, Project Management, Social Science, Sustainability