PhD: Sustainable and Inclusive Regional Economic Development: A Focus on the West of England

An opportunity to apply for a funded full-time PhD in the College of Business and Law, UWE Bristol.  The studentship will be funded by the University of the West of England:

Ref: 2425-April-CBL-01

The expected start date of this studentship is 01 April 2025

The closing date for applications is 14 February 2025

The PhD will be based in the Brunel Centre: Bristol. The centre has been created to provide the data, research and knowledge needed to support sustainable and inclusive economic development in the West of England, enabling the region to make a success of devolution.

The Centre is a research hub dedicated to advancing understanding of economic, social and environmental dynamics in the West of England and beyond. The Brunel Centre: Bristol has been created as part of Research England’s £4.5 million investment in a regional observatory which is being delivered with partners in the University of Bath and Futures West. The Centre serves as a platform for collaboration between academia, policymakers, and industry, providing data-driven insights to inform national and regional policy.

The Brunel Centre: Bristol is enhancing knowledge of national and regional economic trends and is a leading institution for cutting-edge research that supports economic resilience, promotes inclusion, and sustainable development. By leveraging advanced methodologies and secure data, the Centre is producing impactful evidence-based studies to guide policy and business strategies.

Brunel Centre Objectives:

1. Advance Regional Knowledge: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the spatial, economic, social and environmental dynamics of the West of England.
2. Develop Translational Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Provide research that is informed by, and responding to needs on business challenges, performance and policy.
3. Pioneer the Utilisation of Big Data Sets: Operate at the cutting edge of economic research and data analysis, accessing and analysing microdata via the new Integrated Data Service (IDS) and other trusted research environments. This will provide the basis for highly responsive, granular and rich data analysis and research on regional labour markets, productivity, innovation, skills, education, inclusion and the environment.
4. Build Partnerships and Drive Evidence-Based Policy: Foster collaborations and inform local and national regional policymaking with robust, data-driven research.

Prospective students wishing to study for a PhD are invited to write and submit their own proposal. Proposals must address topics that fall within the broad remit of the Brunel Centre, focusing on a topic area within the field of sustainable and inclusive regional economic development.

Project proposals should be no more than two sides of A4 and should contain an overview and rationale for the project, aims, research questions and methods.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Damian Whittard at damian2.whittard@uwe.ac.uk

The studentship is available from 01 April 2025 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £19,237 per annum for 2024/2025. 

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years. The studentship is eligible for UK applicants only.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, and ideally will have a master’s degree or equivalent research experience in a field related to sustainable and inclusive economic development. 

A recognised English language qualification is required.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2425-April-CBL-01.

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 14 February 2025.

It is expected that interviews will take place on weeks commencing 3 March 2025. If you have not heard from us by 28 February 2025, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.