ACORDS PhD Studentship: The Fossil Fuel Industry and the Commercial Determinants of Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

The University of Edinburgh is offering a 3.5 year funded studentship to pursue a PhD. As part of the international ACORDS team, the awardee will carry out a study of the fossils fuel industry.

The PhD project to be developed will reflect the interests and expertise of the successful candidate and could entail research involving one or more of the following:

• A review of the health impacts of the fossil fuel industry and related actors in SSA.
• Analysis of the corporate political activity of the fossil fuels industry and related actors in LMICs and at international level.
• Examination of the impacts of the fossil fuel industry in shaping scientific evidence, research institutions and research agendas in the region.
• Corporate social responsibility initiatives and corporate philanthropy, including engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals and with international agencies, donors and philanthropies.
• Governance strategies for managing conflict of interest with the fossil fuel industry in policy, research and advocacy contexts. 

Full details of the project can be found on the School website. 

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the entry requirements for the full-time Global Health Policy PhD programme. 

NIHR funding for this scholarship is only available to students from ODA recipient countries (Low and Middle-Income Countries by World Bank Classification).  Applicants must be a national from a country/territory on this list and subject to International Fee status. You can work out your fee status here.

Applicants must also meet the additional eligibility criteria stated on the School website. 

Award details

The studentship funding is for 3.5 years. The awardee will commence the  full-time PhD Global Health Policy programme in January 2025. The award includes: 

• An annual maintenance grant/stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 in 2024/25 for reference).
• Tuition fee cover at International Fee rate, for a student from the list of ODA recipient countries on International Fee status
• Potential for funding for travel for fieldwork and/or dissemination 

Application and Selection

How to apply

The closing date for this scholarship is 31 October 2024 at 23:59 GMT

Application Process

Applicants must send the following documents via the 'Apply' button above no later than the closing date:

• A full university transcript, showing the courses/modules taken and marks for individual courses and for a dissertation.
• A CV of no more than two pages. 
• Two references from academic staff who have direct experience of your work.
• A single authored writing sample of between 3,500-10,000 words.
• A personal statement of up to three pages (Please see full details of requirements on our website). 

Selection process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview to discuss their suitability for this scholarship.

The successful studentship applicant will be invited to apply for admission to the PhD programme after selection for funding.

Candidates will be advised of the outcome by the end of November 2024.

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