Advertising and Justice-Based Sustainability Transformations of Production and Consumption

We are offering a fully funded PhD scholarship in the Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability for one UK candidate starting in October 2026.

<p paraeid="{8c74c34d-bcd1-43f4-8822-4f5a377fab53}{17}" paraid="280984182">This fully funded PhD involves impact-facing advertising research aligned with justice-based sustainability transformation of production and consumption systems. The successful candidate will be embedded in a dynamic interdisciplinary team within the <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/research-project/1/faculty-of-environment/2189/production-and-consumption-transformations-pact-centre" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Production and Consumption Transformations</a> (PACT) research centre. The scholarship will be part of the Production and Consumption Transformations (PACT) Centre which is funded by UK Research and Innovation and the UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), with partners and collaborators at the University of Leeds, Lancaster University and the University of Sussex.  </p> <p paraeid="{8c74c34d-bcd1-43f4-8822-4f5a377fab53}{89}" paraid="1932265373">A socially just transformation of production and consumption systems in line with climate targets requires a detailed investigation into the intersecting and intertwined economic, social and political realities. Our comprehensive approach encompasses the economic, political, and social systems within which production value chains and consumption patterns evolve, and will support the development of a just, prosperous, sustainable, and resilient transition pathway to net zero. </p> <p paraeid="{8c74c34d-bcd1-43f4-8822-4f5a377fab53}{103}" paraid="493768774">A comprehensive approach to such transformation involves sensitivity to the specific sectoral and geographic context. This project is focusing on the role of advertising policy and practice in the UK for just and sustainable transformations.  </p> <p paraeid="{8c74c34d-bcd1-43f4-8822-4f5a377fab53}{133}" paraid="726319699">We are particularly interested in the following three ‘lenses’ in the context of advertising: (1) emissions across production and consumption systems, (2) decision making institutions and coalitions, and (3) justice and public engagement. As part of this PhD scholarship, there is an option to spend up to six months at DESNZ through a secondment. Applicants are asked to describe the methods they wish to use in their research proposal. </p> <p paraeid="{bbacc627-e29d-430f-bbef-0ad446d35010}{109}" paraid="1016414816">The PhD scholarship will be part of the Production and Consumption Transformations (<a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see-research-innovation/dir-record/research-projects/2189/production-and-consumption-transformations-pact-centre" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">PACT</a>) Centre which is funded by UK Research and Innovation and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2025-2029). The PACT centre examines options for the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets through transformations of production and consumption systems.  </p> <p paraeid="{bbacc627-e29d-430f-bbef-0ad446d35010}{131}" paraid="1880009666">PACT’s dynamic research programme will focus on actionable insights and ensure real-world impact, working with government departments, campaign groups and the private sector to develop impactful sectoral case studies and demonstrate the effectiveness of systems approaches. The centre will examine societal, political, and economic systems upon which the delivery of the UK’s transition to net zero depends, ensuring that policies are fair, effective and inclusive.  </p> <p paraeid="{bbacc627-e29d-430f-bbef-0ad446d35010}{159}" paraid="826346148">This project is a timely opportunity to engage with the under-researched mitigation potential around advertising, given the rising attention to high carbon advertising and greenwashing in the UK and more widely. This includes campaigns and motions passed by local authorities to limit certain products and sectors from being advertised, as well as public engagement processes on this. The exact thematic and methodological focus can be shaped by your own interests and experiences, contributing to any of the PACT lenses:    </p> <ul> <li>Lens 1 Accounting and modelling: Quantifying, analysing and evaluating impacts such as advertising emissions across production and consumption systems.  </li> <li>Lens 2 Decision making institutions and cultures: Understanding the institutional context for decision making, the process of realising advertising policies, and coalitions of influence.  </li> <li>Lens 3 Public impact and engagement: Involving people in decision making and understanding justice implications and how policies and approaches impact people’s experiences. </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{7c7b65ee-0e17-4b44-9b85-0d708a888ee4}{22}" paraid="974250596">Please specify in your application which lens(es) you are particularly interested in contributing to. Please submit a research proposal with your application (up to 4 pages), outlining the focus of your project and the methods and data that you would use. </p> <p paraeid="{7c7b65ee-0e17-4b44-9b85-0d708a888ee4}{52}" paraid="1896070017">The successful applicant will have a strong interest in climate justice and advertising in the context of the United Kingdom. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with strong existing networks with community organisations, businesses and policy makers relevant for this research, or strong experience in developing such connections.  </p> <p paraeid="{7c7b65ee-0e17-4b44-9b85-0d708a888ee4}{82}" paraid="1864129528">The interdisciplinary research team at Leeds and more broadly within PACT offers opportunities and support to engage in mixed methods research on just transitions. The team can offer methodological support with both qualitative and quantitative approaches depending on the research project and chosen lens. The Leeds-based research team work closely with the other partners and collaborators in the Centre (e.g. University of Sussex, Lancaster University and DESNZ) and there is an opportunity to network and work directly with them as part of you PhD programme.  </p> <p paraeid="{7c7b65ee-0e17-4b44-9b85-0d708a888ee4}{82}" paraid="1864129528">The core supervision team include <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/2625/dr-diana-ivanova" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Dr. Diana Ivanova</a>, <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media/staff/363/dr-leslie-meier" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Dr. Leslie Meier</a> and <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/1558/robin-styles" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Dr. Robin Styles</a>. Dr. Ivanova and Dr. Styles are based in the <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/sustainability-research-institute" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Sustainability Research Institute</a> at the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability where there are several dynamic research clusters you could engage with including groups focusing on <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/sustainability-research-institute/doc/economics-policy-sustainability-1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Economics and Policy for Sustainability</a>, <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/sustainability-research-institute/doc/social-political-dimensions-sustainability-1#:~:text=The%20Social%20and%20Political%20Dimensions,intertwined%2C%20and%20not%20always%20complementary.." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Social and Political Dimensions of Sustainability and </a><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/sustainability-research-institute/doc/energy-climate-change-mitigation-1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Energy and Climate Change Mitigation</a>. Dr. Meier is based at the <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/media" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">School of Media and Communication</a>, with research themes around <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/469/media-inequality-and-representation" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Media, Inequality and Representation</a>, <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/470/media-power-and-publics" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Media, Power and Publics</a>, <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/471/digital-futures" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Digital Futures</a>, and <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/472/cultural-industries-and-creative-work" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Cultural Industries and Creative Work</a>. </p> <p paraeid="{62e0a176-cd78-4dec-856a-d124d0699fc1}{15}" paraid="836481341">If you are interested in applying, please contact Dr Diana Ivanova (<a href="mailto:d.ivanova@leeds.ac.uk" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">d.ivanova@leeds.ac.uk</a>), Dr Leslie Meier (<a href="mailto:L.Meier@leeds.ac.uk" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">L.Meier@leeds.ac.uk</a>) and Dr Robin Styles (<a href="mailto:r.styles@leeds.ac.uk" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">r.styles@leeds.ac.uk</a>) to arrange a time to have an informal discussion.</p> <p paraeid="{62e0a176-cd78-4dec-856a-d124d0699fc1}{55}" paraid="864869149">Below are some examples of relevant publications from the project supervisors and the PACT team</p> <p>Consumer society and ecological crisis (2023). Meier, L.M. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003001621 </p> <p>Managing adverts for high carbon products and services: Findings from a citizens’ jury and national polling (2024). Ainscough, J., Willis, R.: https://climatecitizens.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lancaster-University.-Public-attitudes-to-management-of-advertising-for-high-carbon-products-and-services.pdf </p> <p>The environmental impacts of corporate advertising (2021). Ivanova, D., Suja, L.: https://wellbeingeconomy.org/the-environmental-impacts-of-corporate-advertising </p> <p>Tracing carbon footprints to intermediate industries in the United Kingdom (2023). Ivanova, D., Wieland, H. Ecological Economics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107996 </p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em>Advertising and Justice-Based Sustainability Transformations of Production and Consumption</em> as well as<a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/2625/dr-diana-ivanova"> Dr Diana Ivanova</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</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 to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study School of Earth and Environment 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. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>We are offering a fully funded scholarship to study the project PhD in Advertising and Justice-Based Sustainability Transformations of Production and Consumption, at the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, University of Leeds for one UK status candidate. The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as a UKRI matched maintenance stipend per year, for 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress. If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our fee assessment page.</p> <p>Information about the Award</p> <ul> <li>We are offering one full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability for one UK candidate, covering a matching UKRI maintenance stipend and UK tuition fees for 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress.</li> </ul> <p>Duration of the Award</p> <ul> <li>Full-time (3.5 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</li> </ul> <p>Other Conditions</p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Award must be taken up by 1^st October 2026.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> <li>Applicants will be expected to be available for meetings at the University of Leeds and fieldwork in West Yorkshire.</li> </ul>

<p>For further information please contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions team via ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk or Dr Diana Ivanova via D.Ivanova@leeds.ac.uk </p>