PhD Studentship - Legal Pathways to Equitable Energy Access

Research theme: Energy Justice

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

No. of positions: 1

This 3.5 year PhD project is fully funded and open to home students and overseas applicants. The successful candidate will received an annual tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year.

Access to affordable and reliable energy is increasingly recognised as a fundamental human right, yet millions worldwide experience energy poverty, disproportionately affecting low-income households, marginalised communities, and displaced populations. Legal and regulatory frameworks play a critical role in shaping energy access, affordability, and consumer protections, yet they often fail to adequately address the social inequities of energy transitions.

This PhD project will investigate how legal and policy frameworks can be reformed to strengthen energy rights and improve equitable access to sustainable energy. It will explore the role of human rights law, constitutional protections, and governance mechanisms in shaping energy affordability and inclusivity. Key areas of focus include legal barriers to energy access, the enforcement of affordability safeguards, and the role of participatory governance in energy decision-making.

Additionally, the research will assess how Just Transition principles can be embedded into energy law, ensuring that climate policies do not disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. By examining international legal frameworks, national case studies, and regulatory models, the study will develop policy recommendations for legal reform, consumer protection, and social justice integration into energy law.

This research will bridge legal analysis with socio-economic policy evaluation, offering actionable insights to lawmakers, regulators, and human rights organisations on developing an inclusive and just energy transition.

The successful candidate will collaborate with legal experts, policymakers, and energy researchers, developing legal and regulatory strategies that strengthen human rights protections in energy access laws, promote Just Transition principles in energy law reform, and enhance legal accountability and consumer protections for vulnerable populations.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law and or a Political Science or related field.
• Master of Laws (LLM) or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
• Experience in human rights law, social justice, and energy policy.
• Demonstrated interest in energy law, human rights, and regulatory compliance in energy systems.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to engage with technical energy system concepts.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor, Prof Aoife Foley - aoife.foley@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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