Sustainability transitions in project settings

Summary

The PhD focus is to accelerate our understanding of sustainability transition in project contexts, i.e., the long-term, multi-dimensional, and fundamental transformation processes through which socio-technical systems such as projects shift to more sustainable modes of production and consumption

With more and more organisations relying on some form of project organizing to create value, the research should aim to understand the whys, whats and hows of sustainability transitions in the context of projects. Research can address enablers and constraints at individual, organizational and systemic level toward this type of transitions.

It is of fundamental importance to understand sustainability transitions in terms of aspects such as power, agency politics, governance, geography, ethics and practice (Köhler et al., 2019). Sustainability transitions are also known for affecting different dimensions (e.g., technologies, markets, infrastructures, behaviour) and many actors, each with their own agency (Kooter et al., 2021).

Applicants are required to develop a solid research proposal with a clear empirical focus on green transition and sustainability. The level of analysis may range from micro to macro or address the interplay between different layers. A wide range of methodologies and methods including new and innovative methods is also welcome. The research should explicitly address the expected implications and potential contributions to sustainability transitions. Research that critiques the current approaches to sustainability transitions is also welcome.

Interested candidates with focus on project management contexts, may possess different disciplinary backgrounds, such as business and management studies, engineering, political science and international relations, sociology and cultural studies, anthropology, geography, development studies, or media and communication studies.

Guidance on writing a research proposal can be found here: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/research-proposals

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.