The University of East Anglia is advertising a competitive PhD on how climate information shapes local adaptation decisions. Worldwide applicants may compete for ARIES funding. The deadline is 16 December 2026, with a start on 1 October 2027. The topic may suit applicants who want to investigate the connection between evidence, organisational practice and public-sector decisions.
Research and Study Context
The project uses documentary analysis and interviews to examine English local authorities’ use of climate information. It includes engagement with the Met Office climate-services team. The university is in Norwich, United Kingdom. The School of Environmental Sciences hosts the opportunity.
Academic Team
Dr Katie Jenkins is the named supervisor. The advertised training includes interviewing and qualitative analysis. Researchers can participate in the Tyndall Early Career Network. Applicants should consider their interest in engaging with decision-makers as well as their interest in analysing written evidence.
Academic and Funding Conditions
Entry requires a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent and IELTS 6.5 overall with 6 in each category, or the accepted equivalent. Applicants should understand climate science or UK adaptation policy and have relevant analytical and communication skills. Competitive support includes fees, research support and a stipend listed at £21,805 for 2026/27, with limited international awards and the overseas fee difference waived. Visa, health-surcharge and relocation costs are excluded, and the listed stipend does not confirm the 2027/28 rate.
Exploring the Decision-Making Question
For optional preparation, imagine that an organisation has access to a technically detailed report but does not appear to use it in a particular decision. Write down several possible explanations before assuming that the staff did not understand or value the information. Ask what evidence would help you distinguish limited time, unclear responsibility, competing priorities and a mismatch between the report and the task. This is a hypothetical exercise for exploring research fit, not a claim about any real local authority or a prescribed project case study.
You could extend that example by comparing what a formal strategy says with how an individual describes a decision in an interview. Consider whether a difference between the two necessarily indicates an error, or whether the documents and the person may be describing different parts of the process. Explain what further question you would ask and how you would avoid deciding the answer before collecting evidence. A careful account of these possibilities can demonstrate an interest in organisational research without pretending that one interview provides a complete explanation.
Showing Relevant Research Preparation
If supporting materials are requested, choose a previous example that shows how you moved from a question to a justified interpretation. Explain what information you collected, how you organised it, your individual contribution and the limitations of the conclusion. If you have conducted interviews, describe your actual role rather than implying that you independently designed and managed work that was supervised or shared. If your experience is mainly quantitative, explain which transferable analytical habits you can demonstrate and which qualitative methods you would like to learn.
It may also help to describe how you communicated an analysis to someone with a different background. Explain the purpose of the communication, what you changed to make the reasoning understandable and what feedback you actually received. Avoid treating a polished report or presentation as proof that a practical decision changed unless you have evidence of that outcome. The purpose of these suggestions is to make your preparation clear, while the programme’s current checklist determines what you must submit and how it will be assessed.
Preparing a Focused Motivation
A strong explanation of interest should connect the research problem with a specific experience or question that matters to you. Identify what you want to understand about the use of evidence and explain how your previous studies or work prepared you to investigate it. Separate experience you already possess from skills that remain learning goals. An enquiry to the academic contact should ask a focused unanswered question, since an informal discussion does not replace the application or establish an entitlement to competitive funding.
How to Apply
Follow the current ARIES and university instructions for this named project. Check the project identifier and the required supporting documents before submitting. Make sure that any associated equality and diversity form is completed for the relevant application.
- View scholarship details and follow the programme application route.
- Identify JENKINS_UEA_ARIES27 and submit the requested application materials.
- Complete one ARIES equality and diversity form per project application and retain your submission confirmation.
Final Checks
Information was checked on 23 October 2026. Confirm the current deadline, eligibility and financial terms before applying. Review the written award conditions and your personal expenses separately before making commitments that depend on receiving an international studentship.