PhD Studentship: Reimagining Architecture in the Face of Climate Breakdown: A Critical Exploration of Sustainability Discourses and Extractive Practices

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is our present reality, demanding radical shifts in how we conceive and practice architecture. This volatile context challenges the traditional norms, discourses, and paradigms that have shaped the profession and its education. Rooted in extractive practices and principles of efficiency and productivity, architecture's entanglement with unsustainable systems necessitates a critical re-evaluation and a bold reimagining of its fundamental principles.

This PhD opportunity embraces this challenge, exploring climate change as a catalyst for transformative change within architecture. The project will delve into the complexities of our ecological crisis, questioning the conventional focus on efficiency, growth, and productivity. Instead, it will advocate for a more holistic, interconnected approach that aligns with critical theory, ecological philosophy, new materialism, environmental justice, and decolonial thought. By scrutinizing existing conventions, analysing sustainability discourse, and investigating the ambiguities within architectural practice and theory, the project aims to redefine architecture as a cultural and spatial practice that prioritizes sustainability and equity.

The research will explore the multi-scale entanglement of architecture with social, cultural, and material systems. Key areas of investigation include critiques of extractive practices, the power dynamics embedded within the production of space, archival research into countercultural movements, and the open-sourcing of architectural design methods. By engaging in discourse analysis to deconstruct sustainability-related keywords, the project will challenge dominant narratives and uncover alternative perspectives.

Candidates will develop a strong foundation in critical analysis, research methodology, and interdisciplinary thinking. These skills are essential for addressing the complex challenges of sustainable architecture and shaping a more equitable and sustainable future. The project offers flexibility in terms of its outcomes, allowing for either a traditional PhD or a PhD by Practice project. 

Funding details

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

The studentship is for three years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum (2024/25 rate) for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. A relevant master’s degree and/or experience is desirable.

How to Apply

All applications should be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button and must include a completed studentship application form (instead of a personal statement) and a two-page research proposal based on the project description outlining how you would approach the project and what methods you would use. Under programme name, please select 'Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering'. Please quote reference number ABCE25-CG.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents including an up-to-date CV, but a personal statement is not required.

ABCE will use these selection criteria to make a decision on your application.

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