PhD Study : An evaluation of the impact of the UN SDGs, sustainability reporting and materiality assessment within the real estate sector

Apply and key information

Summary

There is increasing recognition amongst real estate investors and property owners that they have a fiduciary duty to manage ESG and climate related risks in their property assets. Furthermore, many government policies focus on combating climate change, decarbonising the built environment and improving the energy performance of buildings. The alignment of business operational opportunities alongside the spectre of tightening regulatory obligations has seen an investment shift in the real estate sector towards green initiatives that encompass the ESG agenda. Similarly, companies are recognising the reputational gain in demonstrating accountability and disclosing ESG performance in their in-house activities, without always knowing the best way to go about it. A number of reporting and rating initiatives have market visibility (e.g. GRESB, GRI, CDP, MSCI ESG indexes) but there remains a divergence in approaches and practice both sectorally and geographically.

This project will investigate the increasing importance of mapping the UN SDGs to real estate activities and how this is captured in the ESG reporting of real estate companies. It builds upon established reporting under existing frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative, the Carbon Disclosure Project, GRESB and more recent requirements from the Non-Financial Reporting Directive [NFRD] and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive [CSRD]. It will specifically focus on the real estate sector, but the candidate may specialise in one or more specific sectors such as offices, logistics/industrial, residential, retail, student housing, hotels etc. This project should also acknowledge the wider research implications in delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and how the real estate industry must respond to the wider decarbonisation of the built environment. The research will investigate the potential for a performance measurement tool to capture SDGs, materiality assessment outputs within a weighted structure to help support strategic decision-making and prioritise investment funding of ESG activities.

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.

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.

Masters at 65%
Publications - peer-reviewed

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

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 £19,237 (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