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Businesses and Organisations for Sustainable Societies (BOSS)

PGR-RA-63

Expertise of research area
business; natural environment; organisations; policy makers; stakeholders; sustainability; sustainable societies


<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Businesses (from small to medium to trans-national) and organisations (eg NGOs, government, and universities) are key actors in moving towards more sustainable societies. The BOSS group is a transdisciplinary team of researchers who are focused on critically evaluating the role of businesses and organisations, and how they can incorporate sustainability into their systems and supply chains.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

<p>In our research:</p> <ul> <li>We examine the implications of the approaches that businesses and organisations adopt in the global North and South, working on both local and global issues.</li> <li>We analyse the interface between businesses and policy-makers, consumers and other stakeholders.</li> </ul> <p>Our expertise covers a wide range of sectors, including:</p> <ul> <li>the built environment</li> <li>food and drink</li> <li>agriculture</li> <li>electronics</li> <li>extractive industries</li> <li>further and higher education</li> <li>health care</li> <li>retail</li> <li>sports</li> <li>textiles</li> </ul> <p>As a group, we seek to develop theories and approaches which enable businesses and organisations to tackle the challenges of sustainable development in a coherent, systematic, holistic and robust way.</p> <p>We are open to academic, industry and stakeholder collaboration to find effective ways towards urgently needed societal and organisational transformation.</p> <p>We have opportunities for prospective postgraduate researchers, and we welcome enquiries from interested candidates.</p> <h5>Why do your PhD at Leeds?</h5> <p><strong>Study in an active research environment&nbsp;</strong><br /> Studying your PhD with us means you&rsquo;ll be working in a professional research environment, using UK-leading facilities to bring your project to life &ndash; alongside active researchers who are at the forefront of their area.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>A strong network of support &nbsp;</strong><br /> The Leeds Doctoral College connects our community of researchers and can offer you the guidance, services and opportunities you&rsquo;ll need to get the most out of your PhD.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Close industry links&nbsp;</strong><br /> Our partnerships and links to companies and academic institutions give you the opportunity to network at industry talks, seminars and conferences, building connections that&#39;ll benefit your next steps after you complete your PhD.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Professional skills development &nbsp;</strong><br /> We think of the whole picture at Leeds. That&rsquo;s why we offer a range of workshops and courses that&#39;ll enhance your skillset further and transfer into your professional career.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Personal and wellbeing services&nbsp;</strong><br /> Mental health and wellbeing support are integral to who we are at Leeds and you&rsquo;ll have access to the full range of services we offer to ensure you&rsquo;re feeling your best &ndash; and reaching your potential in your studies.&nbsp;<br /> <strong>Join our global community&nbsp;</strong><br /> We welcome students, researchers, academics, partners and alumni from more than 140 countries, all over the world. This means, as a university, we&rsquo;re bringing together different cultures and perspectives which helps strengthen our research &ndash; and societal impact.</p> <h3>Useful links and further reading:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see-research-degrees">Research degrees within the School of Earth and Environment</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/sustainability-research-institute/doc/business-organisations-sustainable-societies-1">Business and Organisations for Sustainable Societies group</a></li> <li><a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see-research-innovation">School of Earth and Environment,&nbsp;Research&nbsp;and Innovation&nbsp;</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leeds Doctoral College</h3> <p>Our <a aria-label="Link Doctoral College" href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-leeds-doctoral-college" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-leeds-doctoral-college">Doctoral College</a> supports you throughout your postgraduate research journey. It brings together all the support services and opportunities to enhance your research, development and overall experience.</p>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

<p>Formal applications for <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">research degree study</a> should be made online through the university&#39;s website.</p>

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

<p>For queries relating to your research proposal or subject area, please contact <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/1514/dr-sally-russell">Dr Sally Russell</a>.</p> <p>For general enquiries and details regarding the application process, please contact the Graduate School Office:<br /> e:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk">env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk</a>, t: +44 (0)113 343 1314.</p>


<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Linked project opportunities</h2>
<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h2>