Community experiences of co-creating applied theatre decision labs for conflict resolution in place-based climate change adaptation

An opportunity to apply for a funded full-time PhD in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment, UWE Bristol, funded by The University of the West of England, Bristol.

The PhD student will have the opportunity to design, implement and evaluate a creative research methodology to explore inter-generational community experiences of participating in a co-creative process that combines deep mapping, design thinking and applied theatre to explore place-based, climate actions related to water security and climate resilience.

This PhD is connected to the three-year Climate Collaboratorium project, funded through the New Frontiers in Research Fund 2023 (International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation). Particular attention in the research processes within Climate Collaboratorium is given to conflict resolution when considering possible adaptation pathways. In the UK, the community participation processes will be developed and delivered working with less heard groups in two river-side towns within the River Severn catchment. Key aspects of the overall research project include transdisciplinary, interdisciplinary and community-based research, within four different community settings – Canada, US, UK and Germany.  Further details are provided in the project abstract.

Keywords: community, participation, conflict resolution, climate adaptation.

Ref 2425-OCT-CATE06

The expected start date of this studentship is 01 October 2024.

The closing date for applications is 4 September 2024.

Community experiences of co-creating applied theatre decision labs for conflict resolution in place-based climate change adaptation.

The PhD student will research inter-generational community experiences of being part of an engaged co-creation process that involves design thinking and applied theatre to explore place-based, climate actions within the three-year Climate Collaboratorium project (see summary below). The full title of the overarching international project is Climate Collaboratorium: Co-creation of Applied Theatre Decision Labs for Exploring Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. This project is funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund 2023 (International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation). The PhD is based at the University of the West of England, Bristol (Frenchay Campus) and will focus on researching the community-based processes played out in the UK.  The PhD student will contribute as part of an international team led by the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, with UK, US and German partners. The UWE research team combines specialisms in community-focused water resource management, drama and hydro-climatic modelling.  A summary of the full Climate Collaboratorium research project is now provided as context. 

Abstract

 “Climate change is having a detrimental impact on the physical and socioeconomic systems that are crucial for the well-being of vulnerable groups living in flood-prone and water insecure regions worldwide. The growing complexity and unpredictability of river system water flow regimes, quantity, and quality caused by climate change are impacting those living upstream and downstream. Currently, there is a gap in ways to blend scientific knowledge of the physical effects of climate change as measured through tools and modelling advancements, and the local knowledge of vulnerable communities about the available and success of mitigation and adaptation options. A part of this gap is in activated bias intervention. Moreover, this knowledge gap has not been integrated into the socioeconomic systems that drive place-based actions for climate mitigation and adaptation, especially in vulnerable communities. Many vulnerable communities, such as Indigenous, coastal, urban elder and youth populations, and those downstream of mine closures, are struggling for water security which generally means the right amount of water of sufficient quality at the right time and place.

The objective of this international collaboration is to use design thinking workshops facilitated with bias and inclusivity experts to co-develop adaptation and mitigation options based on salient place-based climate change scenarios, working with more marginalised communities. The scenarios and mitigation options will become plot points in applied theatre productions where audiences will decide on preferred actions and thereby direct the outcome of the play. Design thinking harnesses the knowledge and insights from users of a service to prototype solutions to a problem and typically involves three phases: Inspiration (Empathize and Define), Ideation (Prototype and Collaborate) and Implementation (Test and Deliver). 

Blending design thinking, applied theatre, natural and climate science, researchers within the Climate Collaboratorium project will co-create novel touring plays in water insecure regions. Design thinking workshops and the plays will be embedded with social science tools to capture, analyse, and enhance the coproduction of new knowledge such as bespoke scenarios, and place-based adaptation and mitigation options to be shared with policy makers in each region. The applied theatre will bring audiences into decision spaces where they consider a range of locally relevant options for mitigation and adaptation to enhance water security in their local watersheds.”

In the UK, the research will involve co-creative working with more marginalised communities – older people and youth - in two towns within the River Severn catchment. Partners in the UK part of the research project include the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water, community support/development and cultural organisations. This PhD will be nested within the wider project to critically evaluate the experiences of local communities of being involved in different stages of the above participatory processes.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Professor Lindsey McEwen at Lindsey.McEwen@uwe.ac.uk.

The studentship is available from 01 October 2024 for a period of 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £19,237 per annum (24/25). 

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for 3.5 years (Home). 

Applicants must have a relevant undergraduate degree (e.g. social science, arts or humanities), and ideally will have an interest in how to involve marginalised groups in decision-making, participatory research methods and local climate adaptation. The studentship is eligible for UK applicants only.

A recognised English language qualification is required.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2425-OCT-CATE06.

Supporting documentation: You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and your proof of English language proficiency as attachments to your application, so please have these available when you complete the application form.

References: You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Your referee will be asked for a reference at the time you submit your application, so please ensure that your nominated referees are willing and able to provide references within 14 days of your application being submitted.

The closing date for applications is 04 September 2024.

It is expected that interviews will take place on the week commencing 2 September 2024. If you have not heard from us by 30 September 2024, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.