PhD Studentship: Unintended Consequences of Offshore Wind Farms: A Socio-economic Impact Evaluation on Wellbeing and Community Dynamics

Project details 

This PhD scholarship is offered by the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience; a partnership between the Universities of Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield. The project is sponsored by the industry partner, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). The successful applicant will undertake six-month of training with the rest of the CDT cohort at the University of Hull before continuing their PhD research at Loughborough University. 

This doctoral position focuses on assessing the socio-economic impacts of offshore wind farms, particularly their unintended effects on community well-being and local dynamics. As part of a high-impact research initiative, this project aims to balance the benefits of renewable energy with the socio-economic welfare of coastal communities.

Offshore wind farms are essential to the UK’s transition to net-zero energy; however, their development may introduce unforeseen effects on local communities, including noise, landscape changes, and disruptions to traditional lifestyles and community identity. This PhD research will address these challenges through a robust analysis of offshore wind farms' influence on quality of life, social cohesion, and economic resilience. Employing both behavioural and applied economics methodologies, the study will capture the short- and long-term implications of these developments to provide insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders. 

Supervisors

• Dr Simona Rasciute, Loughborough University, email: S.Rasciute@lboro.ac.uk
• Dr Anna Rita Bennato, Loughborough University, email: A.Bennato@lboro.ac.uk
• Barnaby Andrews (CEFAS)

Training and skills 

You will benefit from a taught programme, giving you a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of current and emerging offshore wind sector needs. This begins with an intensive six-month programme at the University of Hull, drawing on the expertise and facilities of all four academic partners. It is supplemented by Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is embedded throughout your 4-year scholarship.

The successful candidate will develop expertise in behavioural economics, econometrics, and advanced data analysis tools, preparing them for impactful careers across academia, consulting, government, and beyond. You will develop a wide range of numerical modelling and programming skills that will provide excellent career opportunities in both academia and industry. You will be provided with the opportunity to acquire skills and expertise in software such as Stata and Matlab or Python.

Entry requirements

If you have received a First-class Honours degree, or a 2:1 Honours degree and a Masters, or a Distinction at Masters level with any undergraduate degree (or the international equivalents) in economics, energy economics, environmental science or related fields, we would like to hear from you with demonstrated strengths in quantitative analysis, econometrics, and a keen interest in renewable energy markets. Strong analytical, quantitative and interdisciplinary collaboration skills are essential.

If your first language is not English, or you require Tier 4 student visa to study, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency level that meets the requirements of the Aura CDT’s academic partners. This course requires academic IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill.

Funding

The Offshore Wind CDT is funded by EPSRC, allowing us to provide scholarships for Home students that cover fees plus a stipend set at the UKRI nationally agreed rates, circa £19,795 per annum at 2025/26 rates (subject to progress). Please note, this scholarship is only open to Home students.

Contact details

Email: auracdt@hull.ac.uk

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