PhD Studentship: “Transdisciplinary collaboration for urban climate action in Cork City”

Closing Date for Applications: 23rd May 2025

Research Centre: UCC Futures Sustainability Institute
School: School of Society, Politics and Ethics 

College: College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

University: University College Cork, Ireland

Research Centre: Environmental Research Institute

Contract Type: Fixed Term Whole-Time
Job Type: PhD Research
Stipend and fees: Four years funding, covering doctoral programme tuition fees (€5,250) and an annual stipend of €25,000.

Duration and Start Date: 01st July 2025- 48-month contract

Urban Climate Collab

In response to the need for more impact orientated approaches to sustainability research, the 4-year Urban Climate Collab project, will enhance Transdisciplinary research (TdR) practice so City-University Partnerships (CUPs) can deliver climate action. Transdisciplinary Research (TdR) integrating knowledge and methodologies from multiple disciplines/ stakeholders beyond academia is crucial to achieving climate action. High-level calls for this are found within universities, national strategy and at EU level. Further investigation is needed, however, on how to undertake such work. Urban Climate Collab will answer the central research question ‘How can city-university partnerships in Ireland be improved to achieve urgent climate action?’. The two overarching aims of the project are: to (1) improve transdisciplinary research practice for universities in partnership with cities to deliver societal impact on climate change; and (2) provide evidence to inform Irish policy on supporting City-University Partnerships and bottom-up urban climate action. 

In reaching its objectives, Urban Climate Collab: 

1. Will develop an internationally appraised taxonomy of support structures to enable City-University Partnerships for climate action. 
2. Improves the evidence base to support engaged transdisciplinary research for climate action within universities in Ireland. 
3. Develops the first postgraduate/doctoral module on transdisciplinary practice led by an Irish University. 
4. Builds an interdisciplinary working group of policy makers, city officials, and academics to provide policy guidance to improve supports for bottom-up sustainability in urban areas. 

The project is based in the Department of Sociology, UCC and aligned with UCC Futures – Sustainability, one of UCC’s ten areas of strategic importance.

Work packages:

WP1- International investigation of TdR collaborations for climate action.

WP2- Understanding methods to initiate and support impactful TdR partnerships.

WP3- Developing an evidence base to support policy development for City-University Partnerships and bottom-up urban climate action. 

The Position:

The PhD candidate will undertake a four-year study on ‘Transdisciplinary collaboration for urban climate action in Cork City’ which is distinct from but integral to the Urban Climate Collab project. The successful candidate will pursue a PhD in Sociology, supervised by Dr. Evan Boyle and Dr. Ger Mullally (Department of Sociology and Criminology), and will be based in the Environmental Research Institute, UCC. The specific aspects of work which the PhD student will undertake in this project as set out through the work packages below in relation to literature review, qualitative empirical data generation, data analysis, publication and dissemination, will inform their PhD thesis. It will supplement the contextual foundations, theoretical and conceptual dimensions, positionality and reflexivity, research design, analytical aspects, and writing/production which they will develop independently under the guidance of the project PI as supervisor with support of a co-supervisor.

Criteria

• First-class Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Sociology, Human Geography, Anthropology or associated discipline. 
• Relevant prior learning or research experience in relation to sustainability, urban studies, or environment.
• Capability of working within a project team to achieve results.
• Good communication, organisation, and interpersonal skills.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show evidence of English proficiency (e.g. IELTS minimum 6.5, individual sections 6.0), please check the requirements at: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/)
• Based in Cork or surrounding area for duration of project.

Benefits

• Full stipend and fees for 48-month duration of project.
• 6-Month placement (1 day per week) in Cork City Council.
• Integration within vibrant academic hub on transdisciplinary approaches to sustainability.
• Opportunities for teaching or assisting in course delivery through Faculty of Social Sciences.
• Research funding for supplies (incl. laptop and peripherals).
• Funding for attendance of 3 EU conferences.
• Networking opportunities within established collaborations both nationally and internationally.
• Based in Cork City, a dynamic and lively location offering a perfect mix of career opportunities, scenic surroundings, and a welcoming community.