ESRC White Rose DTP Collaborative Studentship - The social value of sustainable food public procurement. A case study of Leeds.

The Economic and Social Research Council is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues.<br /> The University of Leeds is part of the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership forming a collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull and Manchester Metropolitan. <br /> These social science studentships are available to UK and international (including EU) applicants in seven named Thematic Interdisciplinary Training Pathways and can be held full-time or part-time for the following award types:<br /> +3.5 programme: funding for a 3.5-year PhD. Typically, applicants with a social science Masters degree and with 60 or more credits (or equivalent) of M-level social science research training are those most likely to benefit from this option. <br /> +3.75 programme: funding for an integrated PGCert/PhD. Typically, applicants with a social science Masters degree, but who have not undertaken core research training are those most likely to benefit for this option. <br /> 1+3.5 programme: funding for a 1 year Masters programme, followed by the 3.5 year PhD. Typically, applicants without a social science Masters degree are those most likely to benefit from this option. <br />

<p>An ESRC White Rose DTP Collaborative Studentship is available in the School of Geography, with the project title <strong>‘The social value of sustainable food public procurement.  A case study of Leeds.</strong></p> <p><strong>Collaborative Partner:  Leeds City Council and Foodwise (The Leeds Food Partnership)</strong></p> <p><strong>Pathway: Sustainable Growth, Business, Work and Economic Productivity (SBE)</strong></p> <p><strong>Closing Date for Applications: 17:00 (UK Time) 14 March 2025</strong></p> <p>This project aims to understand how social value can be leveraged to strengthen local food systems through a case study of public food procurement in Leeds.  Public procurement is narrowly focused on financial value, limiting its potential benefits to public health, community economies, and environmental sustainability.  This project will bridge innovative economic frameworks with food systems research to develop a broader understanding of value, moving beyond cost-based contracting to include social, environmental, and economic well-being with ecological limits.</p> <p>The project is a collaboration between the Global Food and Environment Institute (GFE) at the University, Leeds City Council and Foodwise (the Leeds Food Partnership) to generate impactful research and develop new skills for a just socio-ecological transition.</p> <p>The focus will be on Leeds, a city already using procurement to reduce its food carbon footprint and drive dietary changes but with challenges to utilise sustainable procurement practices to strengthen its local food system.  Nationally, the project is timely as the government will publish both a National Food Strategy and new public procurement guidelines in 2025.</p> <p>Globally, transforming food systems is essential for tackling climate change, ecosystem erosion, food insecurity and unhealthy diets.  Public food procurement by local authorities, hospitals, and other public bodies can be a powerful tool to influence this transformation.  The UK Government wants 50% of the current £2.4 billion public food procurement budget to be spent on sustainable food produced locally or certified to higher standards.  However, research has shown that public procurement is still a ‘cost-based contracting system’ geared to price-cutting and ‘value for money’.  This economistic and narrow conception of value misses the wider value that sustainable food procurement has on public health, biodiversity, lower emissions, and more resilient economy.  A broader understanding of value is therefore needed.</p> <p><strong>Objective 1:  </strong>Review and evaluate national and international best practices on public food procurement and social value frameworks.</p> <p><strong>Objective 2:  </strong>Bring together theoretical inputs from critical economies, foundational economies, community economies, agroecology, alternative food networks, community food provisioning, and urban food systems.</p> <p><strong>Objective 3:  </strong>Analyse Leeds City Council’s policies and processes on Social Value, Public Food Procurement, Food Strategy and the Best City Ambitions.  Review existing food procurement contracts and their evaluation frameworks with a case study on a particular procurement area (possibly School meals).</p> <p><strong>Objective 4:  </strong>Develop, in collaboration with key stakeholders, an innovative social value framework for sustainable food procurement, with clear indicators and public accountability processes.</p> <p>The four objectives will be met by undertaking literature reviews, participant observation, interviews, and a case study of a particular procurement contract.</p> <p>A 3-month Research in Practice placement will be provided at Leeds City Council.</p> <p class="elementtoproof"><strong>Duration of the Award:</strong></p> <p>1+3.5 Studentships:  Full-time (4.5 years) or part-time (7 years 10 months);<br /> +3.5 Studentships:  Full-time (3.5 years) or part-time (5 years 10 months);<br /> +3.75 Studentships:  Full-time (3 years 9 months) or part-time (6 years 3 months).<br /> Full-time awards will be made for one year in the first instance and will be renewed each year, subject to satisfactory academic progress.  Part-time awards will be made for 24 months (two calendar year) in the first instance and will be renewed each year, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</p> <p><strong>Funding</strong></p> <ul> <li>The award will cover fees at standard Research Council rates;</li> <li>A maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26 for full-time study, pro-rata for part-time study).  This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate announced on the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/studentships-and-doctoral-training/get-a-studentship-to-fund-your-doctorate/">UKRI</a> website</li> <li>Research Training Support Grant, which covers travel and research costs during the PhD part of the award – variable amount depending on the scheme, plus other allowances where applicable;</li> <li>Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students (including EU) to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.</li> <li> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> </li> <li>Applicants applying on both a 1+3.5, +3.5 and +3.75 basis MUST in the first instance apply for a place on a research postgraduate programme and be in receipt of a Student ID Number to be eligible for an ESRC White Rose DTP Studentship.  Applications without a valid ID Number will be rejected;</li> <li>+3.5 and +3.75 awards must be taken up on 1 October 2025;  1+3.5 awards must be taken up in September 2025;</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Studentship;</li> <li>All WRDTP programmes include an integral 3-month ‘Research in Practice’ placement as standard;</li> <li>Applicants should read the<a href="https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ESRC-25042024-ESRC-Postgraduate-Funding-Guide-April-2024.pdf"> ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide</a> and be willing to abide by the conditions and regulations therein.</li> <li> <p><strong>Selection Process</strong></p> <p>After a School selection process, applicants will be informed as to whether they are being nominated for an ESRC WRDTP Studentship.  The White Rose Academic Quality Committee will review the nominations and decide on the final list of awards.  The University will use the data provided in the application form for internal selection and statistical purposes and publish the names of the successful applicants within the University.  The final outcome is expected towards the end of April 2025.</p> </li> </ul>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong></p> <ul> <li>First of all <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">apply for a research programme of study </a>by completing the application form.  You should clearly state that you are wishing to apply for the ESRC WRDTP Collaborative Studentship and give the project title –  <strong>‘The social value of sustainable food public procurement.  A case study at Leeds’.</strong></li> </ul> <p>In order to be considered for the studentship, you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application of study (listed on the website for the School/Faculty) in which you are applying to study.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong></p> <ul> <li>Once you are in receipt of your 9-digit Student Application ID, complete the online <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/esrc-white-rose-dtp-collaborative-studentships-2025">ESRC studentship application form</a> </li> </ul> <p>Before completing the studentship application form, you are strongly advised to read the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1saycu9B59xGLQdYz0drFFTsjLlCW84smbEAMAGClcrc/edit?tab=t.0">Guidance for Applicants</a> and <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q9E4T1clh0pSf4v_2YilEzK_6iSqFFuCIimIH1U1F4s/edit?tab=t.0">Assessment Criteria</a>, which provide further information about how to complete the form and how your application will be assessed.</p> <p>After receipt of your Studentship application, the relevant Admissions Team will provide further advice on your suitability for either a 1+3.5, +3.5 or a 3.75 studentship and advise whether you should undertake the MA Social Research (Interdisciplinary) programme.</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants must meet the entry requirements of their nomination School - for the School of Geography, see https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography-research-degrees/doc/entry-requirements-1. The ESRC also stipulates that for all studentships, students must have qualifications of the standard of a good honours degree at first- or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution, or through a combination of qualifications and/or experience, be able to demonstrate equivalence. In the majority of cases, students will have undertaken an undergraduate course at a recognised UK higher education institution or equivalent international qualification. Prior qualifications may be enhanced to meet these requirements by the acquisition of at least one satisfactorily completed academic year of full-time study or its part-time equivalent towards a UK higher degree, if applying for an award without an undergraduate degree. Applicants must satisfy the nominating School's entry requirements AND the ESRC's minimum threshold.<br /> Applicants with a Master's degree with a strong component of a Social Sciences discipline (eg Human Geography; Sociology; Politics or Economics) or experience as a practitioner and/or professional in food policy and/or community-led food initiatives or experience in the applicant and/or research of heterodox economic theories and approaches, such as community wealth building, foundational economies, community economies or donut economies are particularly encouraged to apply.

The University of Leeds minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. For the School of Geography English Language requirement - see https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography-research-degrees/doc/entry-requirements-1

<p>For further information about the application process, please contact the Faculty of Environment Admissions Team, email: <a href="mailto:ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Collaborative%20Studentship">ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about the project, please contact Sara Gonzalez, email: <a href="mailto:s.gonzalez@leeds.ac.uk?subject=ESRC%20WRDTP%20Collaborative%20Studentship">s.gonzalez@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>