PhD Study : Closing the circularity gap in tourism through participatory policy design

Summary

A circular economy is concerned with processes of production and consumption that eliminate waste. The circular economy principles are embedded in Sustainable Development Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production – and require a value-orientation away from unsustainable patterns towards localised and sustainable production and consumption. The Circle Economy – a Department for Economy funded advisory think tank – published in May 2022 a report on the Circularity Gap in Northern Ireland, outlining the risks of a linear economy and providing aspirational scenarios for closing the circularity gap. Among these is a call for a “journey towards sustainable tourism”.

While this is acknowledging the importance of the tourism industry to Northern Ireland, the report remains vague about the implementation processes and strategies on closing the circularity gap in tourism in Northern Ireland. This is significant because the tourism economy is carbon-creating, discretionary and hedonistic. As an economy it has inherent paradoxical tensions, which act as barriers against a circular tourism economy approach. In addition, there remains a gap in literature at the academic juncture of tourism policy/planning and circular economy principles, with only few conceptual contributions to date.

This PhD project invites contributions from candidates to address through empirical means strategies for closing the circularity gap in tourism with specific reference to destination Northern Ireland. The originality of the research should be based on the combination of circularity principles and tourism policy and planning – an area which is currently under-researched. The project proposal invites a qualitative, participatory approach. Candidates may wish to explore Participatory Action Research, Human-Centred Policy Design and/or Paradox Theory as possible theoretical and methodological avenues. A critical investigation of circularity principles and related economic models (Circular Economy, Green Growth, de-growth, post-growth, steady state, sufficiency models) in the context of tourism policy and planning should build the foundation of this research.

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