Scholarships & funding

CoSS-USyd Joint PhD Scholarship - The health and wellbeing impacts of the energy transition for low-income renters: a comparative UK-Australia study.

Project details 

Governments around the world are seeking to transition energy systems away from a high reliance on fossil fuels to society’s energy needs being primarily met from renewable energy sources. At the same time, the world faces a series of inter-connected and deepening crises, including extreme weather events from climate change, rapid increases in the cost of living exacerbating long-term social and economic inequalities, and stagnating health, well-being, and life expectancy trends. 

The most vulnerable households and communities - those on low-incomes, lacking in multiple social and economic resources, and exposed to cumulative inequalities arising from characteristics such as gender and ethnicity – are the most disadvantaged by these crises. This situation is further exacerbated by energy transition policies that privilege homeowners and wealthier communities. 

One critical contributor to the disadvantaged circumstances of low-income households is energy costs. These households spend a higher proportion of their income on energy than high-income households. Low-income renter households are further disadvantaged, being without the resources for energy-efficient appliances or access to cheaper energy renewable sources. Low-income households have reduced their energy use in seeking to manage energy bills. However, when extreme weather conditions occur, these households – who generally live in low-standard housing stock - are unable to meet the costs of additional heating or cooling, damaging health and well-being, and provoking potentially dangerous coping strategies. 

This project will advance understanding of the health and well-being impacts for low-income renter households of energy transition measures proposed by governments, and design solutions to redress identified adverse impacts as integral to these proposed measures while also generating co-benefits more broadly for society. 

The project will conduct a comparative study between two locations which are increasingly experiencing extreme weather events with significant adverse population impacts, and have high concentrations of low- income renter households – Glasgow (Scotland) and Sydney (Australia). 

Eligibility 

Applicants must meet the application, admission and enrolment criteria of each institution (including language requirements). 

In addition, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria 

• Applicants will have a good Master's degree (or overseas equivalent) 
• Applicants will have a demonstratable interest in the topic under investigation. 
• Applicants will must enrol on a full-time basis at both institutions for the duration of their candidature 
• Applicants must be prepared to spend a minimum of 30% of their PhD candidature at the University of Sydney 

Please note that all applicants must also meet all admission and enrolment requirements for the both the Sociology PhD (UofG) and the Arts and Social Sciences PhD (USyd) 

Number of Scholarships

1

Value

Award details 

The scholarship is available as a full-time +3.25 (3 year 3 month) programme only. The programme will commence in October 2024. The funding includes: 

• An annual stipend at the UKRI rate 
• Fees at the standard home rate or International rate 
• Students can also draw on a Research Training Support Grant, usually up to a maximum of £940 per year 
• In addition to the above, a one-off travel grant of £3,000 ito facilitate the rquired travel between Glasgow and Sydney. 

Further additional information 

This award requires international travel. The successful student will register at the University of Glasgow, as the Home institution, and the University of Sydney, as the Host institution, simultaneousl. The successful student will be required to spend a minimum of 30% of their PhD candidature at the University of Sydney. 

How to apply

Please review the application process listed here. 

For more information contact: Gerry.McCartney@glasgow.ac.uk