PhD Studentship: Transitions to Sustainable Wildlife Harvest: Evidence Based Management and The Social Licence to Hunt

Project Overview 

This is an opportunity to conduct fully funded interdisciplinary research under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex.

In the UK recreational hunters harvest 1.4 million waterbirds annually, such as wild ducks and geese. International legal agreements require that this harvest be sustainable (e.g. African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement), but questions remain whether and how the UK harvest could achieve this. Lack of ecological data on hunting effort and success and lack of adaptive regulation of wildlife harvest are barriers that prevent a transition to sustainable and well regulated wildlife harvests. Underpinning each of those barriers are cultural attitudes and values that limit the ability of society and government to change; e.g.  to introduce new and sustainable ways of working towards shared conservation goals, i.e. more waterfowl. 

This PhD project will develop approaches in ecological and social sciences to help overcome barriers to sustainable recreational hunting – leading to methods that can help the UK government meet social and conservation objectives. Areas of research could include estimating species specific harvest of waterbirds, developing methods to make harvest estimation easier, understanding the social licence of wild bird hunting in the UK, and exploring social and practical barriers to positive ecological outcomes for hunted waterbirds. 

Interdisciplinary Focus and Methods 

Working with stakeholders in government, conservation, the public and hunting sectors you can develop approaches to overcome barriers to sustainable wildlife harvest. Embedded in a socio-ecological context you will use a range of methods (such as ecological models, surveys, qualitative interviews and focus groups) to determine current recreational harvests of waterbirds and better understand differences in worldviews that can help or hinder a sustainable transition in wildlife management. 

Training and Support

You will be supported through the Sustainable Transitions training programme which provides initial training in interdisciplinary research methods, training in the secondary discipline within the project area and ongoing training throughout the duration of the programme. All doctoral scholars benefit from the support of Proficio which entitles you to £2,500 that can be used to purchase training courses either within or external to the University. Additionally Sustainable Transitions scholars are entitled to £10,000 that can be used to cover research costs and further training. Scholars are encouraged to audit masters and degree level course where appropriate. You will also have the support of the Sustainable Transitions management team, as well as your own supervisory team. All Sustainable Transitions scholars will become part of the University of Essex ‘Centre for Environment and Society’ through which ongoing events and networking opportunities are available.

Person Specification

This opportunity would suit a candidate with a background or interest in conservation science, natural resource management and policy. We are interested in candidates with a degree (or equivalent experience) in biological or environmental disciplines, sociology, maths or computing. It is not necessary for the candidate to have prior training in population ecology or qualitative social science methodologies as these will be provided on the programme.

Research Proposal

The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application. The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team. Further details and guidance are available via the above ‘Apply’ button.

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