Funding

Funded (UK/EU students only)

Project code

SEGG8410923

Start dates

February 2024

Application deadline

11 September 2023

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three-year PhD to commence in February 2024. 

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health and will be supervised by Dr Julia Brown and Dr Brian Baily (Geography) and Dr Chris Jones (Psychology). 

The successful applicant will receive an industry-funded bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24). The bursary is open to UK and EU students only.

 

The work on this project could involve:

  • Identifying current attitudes and awareness of water conservation issues and water literacy levels among University of Portsmouth students. 

  • A mixed methods approach involving the collection and analysis of survey data; water use data and qualitative focus group and interview data with university students.

  • Creatively co-designing with university students targeted messaging to test their relative impact on student attitudes and behaviours towards water conservation. 

 

This industry-funded PhD scholarship has been developed in collaboration with Portsmouth Water whose customers consume more water than the UK average. Portsmouth Water abstracts water from ecologically sensitive and globally unique chalk streams and associated aquifers. Growing demand coupled with climate change is resulting in water stress which in turn is effecting these important habitats. Cognisant of this, Portsmouth Water is actively exploring different approaches to lower demand for water across its operational area. The university student body represents a hard-to-reach demographic for water companies in determining water literacy levels, and in targeting water efficiency campaigns. Using the four University of Portsmouth managed student halls of residence as urban living labs, this programme of research aims to codesign water efficiency campaigns and test their relative behaviour change efficacy amongst the student body to help inform Portsmouth Water’s future student communication strategies.

 

The project will utilise a mixed methods approach. A baseline survey will collect information on student attitudes to the environment, water literacy and current water behaviours. Water use metering data in the four halls of residence will be analysed to determine the pre-intervention baseline. Working with students, the researcher will co-design the behaviour change interventions, and oversee the upgrade one hall with additional water saving technologies. During the intervention period, the researcher will monitor and comparatively analyse water use and then conduct a post-intervention survey and focus groups to determine levels of water literacy amongst participating students.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

A background in environmental and human geography or related subject such as environmental psychology would be a benefit for this project that utilises a mixed methods approach. We are seeking a creative researcher who has experience of being a UK or EU student living in student halls and private rental accommodation who has a strong interest in behaviour change. Some experience of conducting semi-structured interviews or focus groups would also be an advantage.

How to apply

We would encourage you to contact Dr. Julia Brown (Julia.brown@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SEGG8410923 when applying.