PhD Study : Coastal Governance on the Island of Ireland: challenges and opportunities in a new era

Summary

The coast of the island of Ireland is highly productive and diverse, and supports a range of socio-economic needs and desires including tourism, recreation, fisheries, industry and power generation. Yet, the coast is also a vulnerable resource and is increasingly exposed to changing environmental parameters (e.g. increased storm intensity and erosion); social change (e.g. transient populations and an ageing demographic); and economic instability (e.g. seasonal employment and reliance on tourism/fishing). Implementing effective responses to the various demands and stressors necessitates a systemic appreciation that respects natural and anthropogenic interactions across multi-scalar processes and contexts.

The emergence of marine governance structures and regimes present a certain opportunity to enhance the resilience of coastal communities. The Marine Policy Statement (HM Government 2010), for example, requires marine planners in the UK to plan in such a way that ‘benefits society as a whole’. Marine Spatial Planning thus is required to have positive terrestrial, as well as marine, impacts. This is challenging in practice as the coastal-marine divide constitutes a complex governance arena where a range of rights, responsibilities and values can coalesce or compete: creating spaces of innovation but also for conflict.

At the local level, there is a growing awareness of the need to embed mitigation and adaptation strategies into local spatial planning tools and processes. Localised responses, however, are shaped by the hierarchal (national – supranational) governance architecture within which local government operates; which may serve to promote or limit the development of a more strategic approach to responding to, and managing, coastal change. It is critical, therefore, to understand the supporting legal rules and institutions which serve to define what is permitted, who has the power to do what and the consequences of different acts, omissions and situations.

The UK’s impeding exit from the EU poses further uncertainty in terms of potential legislative changes and gaps, and the future of cross-border planning. This doctoral research critically explores the capacity (and willingness) of existing institutional arrangements to facilitate the development of a more strategic approach to managing coastal change on the island of Ireland. Particular attention is placed on the weight given to issues of community resilience and well-being and how these are, or are not, taken into consideration in decision making processes. In doing so, it provides practical policy recommendations for maximising the socio-economic benefits of marine planning and securing more resilient outcomes for coastal communities.

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.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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