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PhD Research Project: Governance of Multi-Functionality: Unpacking the Design and Delivery of Blue-

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Feb 24, 2017

Job Details

Details

Prescriptions to address water problems have long advocated the need for multi-functional solutions combining (for example) flood alleviation, environmental water quality and water supply in ‘blue-green infrastructure’. Implementing such measures disrupts conventional infrastructure governance, however, as budgets and decision-making cannot be allocated to single knowledge communities. Taking case studies where overall budgets are assured and projects are underway, this research investigates the detailed processes of project design and development for two blue-green infrastructure projects. Specifically, it asks ‘what evidence and whose opinions are used to evaluate costs and benefits in different spheres and how are their relative merits evaluated?’

The research will adopt a social practices approach to studying the decision processes in case study utilities. When used to study institutions, a social practices approach looks at the mechanisms and norms that are used to reach decisions and to determine actions. Through examining how the normal governance practices are disrupted through blue-green infrastructure cases, the research will seek to inform the future development and selection of multi-functional infrastructure solutions.

This research will focus on two examples of blue-green infrastructure implementation, comparing and contrasting the governance practices in each case. Cases will be drawn from a combination of the TWENTY65 activities (Theme 4’s Birmingham Urban Demonstrator case) and the ten infrastructure investments funded within the BEGIN project (an INTEREG project delivering 10 blue-green solutions in North Sea Region cities between 2017 and 2021), hence offering a variety of contexts and contacts from which to select cases.

The central novelty of this research is an empirical focus on the governance of blue-green infrastructure, enabled through the unique opportunity arising from the combination of TWENTY65 and BEGIN.

Funding Notes

This PhD is fully funded for Home or EU applicants plus the standard Research Council maintenance award (£14,296 per annum in 2016/17) for three years. We also welcome applicants from overseas students who are able to self-fund the difference between the Home and Overseas fees levels.

References

This PhD project is part of the Twenty65 EPSRC funded research consortium. This is a consortium of the universities of Sheffield, Manchester, Exeter, Reading, Newcastle and Imperial College.

Selection process: Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview to take place at the University of Sheffield

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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