PhD Study : Financing climate resilient sustainable urban infrastructure

Apply and key information  

Summary

New financial regulatory frameworks introduced in the wake of the 2007-08 financial crisis allied with a contraction in risk appetite and capacity amongst banking institutions has extenuated the need to attract new sources and forms of investment and to develop infrastructure investment models which more effectively align the investment time horizons and risk-return profiles of investors relative to infrastructure project opportunities.

This research project will examine the idiosyncrasies of the global infrastructure challenge and assess the viability and transferability (between different infrastructure types and across jurisdictions) of innovative infrastructure investment vehicles and fiscal measures which could be implemented to more effectively redress the infrastructure funding ‘gap’.

The research will serve to address a number of questions pertaining to the financing of future infrastructure provision including:

How can the scale and multi-faceted nature of the funding challenge be more effectively ‘broken-down’ and ‘communicated’ to prospective investors in order to align project opportunities and the associated risks with investor expectations?

What are the principal barriers which serve to prevent private sector investment in infrastructure and what measures are necessary if these are to be overcome?

Given new regulatory frameworks including Basel III and Solvency II what form might the ‘next generation’ of infrastructure investment vehicles take and who will be the principal funders of infrastructure in the next economic cycle?

Which policy measures or fiscal frameworks might National Governments introduce in order to continue to develop the quality of their infrastructure provision?

How can National governments more effectively harness infrastructure investment in order to stimulate greater societal and economic uplift?

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.

  • Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 18 February 2019
12:00AM

Interview Date
13 March to 21 March 2019

Preferred student start date
September 2019

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Michael McCord

Other supervisors