Practitioner Doctorate in Sustainability PhD

This unique programme offers you the opportunity to pursue your research studies at doctoral level and take a role in industry, applying your knowledge in the ‘real world’. You will further your research knowledge in the academic field of sustainability and apply this to a real challenge, spending the majority of your time within the external partner organisation. You will be based at the University for the first 12 weeks of the programme where you will undertake a series of sustainability modules and personal development workshops, which will equip you for your time in industry. You will then move to your industry premises where you will integrate into the company, making your applied research relevant to the company and potentially the wider sector. You will have two academic supervisors, one from CES and one from another relevant University department. You will also have an industry supervisor who will work alongside you on a day-to-day basis. The academic role of the supervisors is to guide and help train you in becoming an independent researcher whose thesis and associated publications and conference presentations make a contribution to academic and practical knowledge. You will closely collaborate with your supervisors, who will monitor your research progress at monthly and formal appraisal points. The programme is assessed by formal progress reports at six monthly intervals, a confirmation report, a viva, and by submission and oral examination of a final thesis by independent external and internal examiners. You will also have the opportunity to complete four specified taught modules from the CES masters programme, in order to qualify for The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) professional membership at Associate level. Completion of the PhD also provides strong support for application for the Managerial Full IEMA membership and Chartered Environmentalist level. Depending on the focus of the PhD research, it would similarly offer strong contributions to chartered status with other professional bodies, such as those in engineering.

Students need to hold a first or upper-second class degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower second plus a good Masters degree (distinction normally required).