PhD Studentship: Just Transition in The Global South: An Investigation Into The Role of Employee Collective Voice and Employer Associations in Climate Change Response and Post-carbon Transformation

Project details 

Efforts to formulate policies and implement measurable actions to mitigate global emissions are rapidly increasing. While interventions are progressing significantly in the Global North, they remain relatively sluggish in the Global South. In response, international organisations and intergovernmental conferences have introduced comprehensive programmes and policies aimed at transitioning to a low-carbon and sustainable global economy. A notable milestone in this effort is the inclusion of the concept of a 'just transition' in the Paris Agreement of 2015.

Despite these advancements, critical questions remain about the adoption and implications of the just transition for different groups of workers, employers, and their associations. This PhD project aims to investigate the collective voice and participation of workers' unions and employers' associations in the social dialogue surrounding the transition to a low-carbon economy in the Global South.

Key research questions include:

• How do workers’ unions in the Global South, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, engage in the transition to a low or post-carbon economy?
• How do employers’ associations in the Global South contribute to this transition?
• What are the roles of, and prospects for, contention and cooperation between unions and employers’ associations in this context? 

The study will adopt a qualitative research methodology, employing ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and document analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics.

Supervisors 

Primary supervisor: Dr Kabiru Oyetunde

Secondary supervisor: Professor Catherine Casey

Entry requirements

At least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) with a UK master's degree (with an average programme mark of no less than 65%) or international equivalent.

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Loughborough Business School requires a minimum IELTS band 7.0 or above with not less than 7.0 in each component. Further details are available on the international website.

Funding

The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus University tuition fees.

How to apply

1. Put together your research proposal (between 2,500 to 3,000 words including references).
2. Share your research proposal with the identified supervisor(s) and confirm they are willing to be named in support of your application. You are also encouraged to ask for feedback to develop your research proposal.
3. All applications should be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button. Under programme name, select ‘Business School'. Please upload with your application a research proposal, copies of your transcripts/certificates, English language certificate and contact details of two academic references, one of which must be from your most recent degree. Please quote the project reference number: LB25-KO-CC-Funded.

Contact details 

Call: +44 (0)1509 228072

Email: k.oyetunde@lboro.ac.uk

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