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Fully funded PhD studentship

Posted on 23 November 2022

Calling all MA students...fully funded PhD studentship available with Professor Tony Heron

fishing nets, water in the background

The York Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity (LCAB) and Professor Tony Heron are advertising for a fully funded PhD studentship:

Fish futures: the governance of trade-based consumption and mechanisms for promoting net biodiversity gain

This project uses the 2022 WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies as the backdrop to investigate the political economy and ecology of global fisheries trade by focusing on its governance and supply chains, its biodiversity footprint and its future potential as an alternative protein source with net benefits for human and planetary health.

You will be based in the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity (LCAB) at the University of York, supervised by Tony Heron, Chris West and Simon Croft. Your project will:

  • Conceptualise and map UK-driven fish supply chains, identifying key upstream and downstream actors, trade flows, modes of consumption and governance mechanisms
  • Assess the trade-driven biodiversity impacts of fishing and conduct comparative assessments of the impacts of fish- vs terrestrial-based protein sources
  • Analyse the political economy and ecology of terrestrial protein and fisheries supply chains, leading to policy recommendations for biodiversity-positive food transitions

You will combine conceptual analysis of governance and supply chains with trade-based modelling and conduct stakeholder engagement throughout to produce innovative policy solutions. You will have proven ability to work across disciplines, with experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. You will ideally have a degree in Political/Social Science and/or a background in policy analysis and a track record in engagement with non-academic audiences, including policy-makers, businesses, NGOs and other industry stakeholders. Prior modelling experience will be an advantage.

LCAB provides opportunities to interact with students and researchers across departments and institutions, and will offer additional training as required.

Supervisors: Prof Tony HeronDr Chris West and Dr Simon Croft

Home department: Politics

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