PhD Study : Innovation in New World Sustainable Development

Summary

Innovation is critical to the new world of sustainability. Recent research, funded by Invest NI, has indicated that businesses need to understand the skills required to create and maintain a scalable and sustainable innovation programme. Additionally, the NI Executive has made renewed commitments to digital innovation and green sustainability in the current programme for government noting key objectives to ‘live and work sustainably - protecting the environment; People want to live, work and visit here; and Our economy is globally competitive, regionally balanced and carbon neutral’.

Building upon research undertaken by three Ulster University led international research teams: SAFEWATER: www.safewater-research.com/; TRANSLATE and the SHAPES project: https://shapes2020.eu/, this project will investigate how innovation takes place in sustainable development. In the study several multi-level value models linked to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the areas of: Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Clean water, Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and Climate Action will be utilised.

The focus of the research will be the challenge of translating technology for societal benefit, and several key value models will form the backdrop of the research including economic business models, environmental life cycle business models and social stakeholder business models. The research in this project will explore how innovation will contribute to the climate change targets that global leaders have agreed upon. This is extremely topical given the aims of the Sustainable Innovation Forum (SIF) as discussed at the recent COP 26 summit, which brought together heads of states, innovators, business leaders, scientists and investors to tackle focusing on what is described as the biggest challenge facing our society today.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living