Human Geography: Fully Funded Swansea University PhD: ‘Green’ jobs and emotional labour

Swansea University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering provided funding.

Geography is a the subject.

Start date of the project: October 1, 2022 (Enrolment open from mid-September) * A later start date is possible (up to 1 July 2023).

Supervisors:

Dr Osian Elias
Professor Tavi Murray
Dr Anna Pigott

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Human Geography

Mode of study: Full-time

Description of the project:

A fully-funded three-year PhD scholarship on “‘Green jobs’ and Emotional Labor” is available at Swansea University’s Department of Geography.

Climate action necessitates the expansion of green industries and the creation of new green jobs. Environmental concerns and the green credentials of their labor may increasingly motivate new generations of workers. However, the economy already has a significant environmental and conservation sector. This studentship will investigate the emotional labor of environmental and conservation workers, as well as how they’see’ and ‘feel’ climate and natural disasters through their work.

Data will be gathered through mobile and on-site interviews with environmental practitioners in Wales. The study will investigate environmental practitioners’ emotional reactions to climatic and ecological change in their work, as well as how this relates to broader environmental action.

Consideration of the labor experiences of workers whose labor is steered by, and requires detailed knowledge of, climate and natural disasters will help us understand those disasters and help define new ‘green’ jobs and industries as they emerge.

The student has a lot of opportunities to contribute to the specific focus of the PhD research.

The successful candidate will gain access to a new and very active interdisciplinary research network in this field.

Eligibility for Fully Funded Swansea University PhD

Normally, candidates must have a 2.1 undergraduate degree in geography or a related social science field, or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade of ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).

Candidates should have strong qualitative research skills, including the ability to design, generate, and analyze data. Master’s level experience would be advantageous.

We welcome applications from candidates with relevant professional experience, and we are especially interested in hearing from individuals whose research is inspired by their own response to climate and environmental emergencies.

If applicable, IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent is required.

Due to funding constraints, this scholarship is only available to applicants who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate, as defined by UKCISA regulations.