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Dr Mark Schuerch - Academic Contact
Dr Mark Schuerch is a Physical Geographer with research interests in coastal processes and management, including coastal hydro- and morphodynamics. His specialisms include coastal and estuarine sediment dynamics, climate change and sea level rise, coastal ecosystems, coastal management, and coastal adaptation. Mark is also Postgraduate Research Lead for the Department of Geography.
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MPhil/PhD Human Geography
Human Geography seeks to explore the relationship between people and their communities, considering language, religion, economic and government structures, and a broad range of other cultural aspects. Through independent research, supervisory meetings, and departmental seminars, this research programme provides the opportunity to conduct an in-depth research project in an area of human geography, and aims to build key skills for positions in research, spatial/social planning, and development consultancy and management.
The Department of Geography offers the opportunity to work at doctoral level alongside academics whose research has been internationally recognised. Students can benefit from the supportive academic community, where ideas and experiences are shared with the aim of advancing knowledge.
Lincoln's human geographers are working on projects exploring national and international migration; rural development; the spatial dimension of social and technological innovations; environmental history and geoarcheaology; environmental management, governance and behaviour; and the analysis and mapping of a range of economic and social inequalities from international to sub-regional scales.
Welcome to MPhil/PhD Human Geography
Human Geography seeks to explore the relationship between people and their communities, considering language, religion, economic and government structures, and a broad range of other cultural aspects. Through independent research, supervisory meetings, and departmental seminars, this research programme provides the opportunity to conduct an in-depth research project in an area of human geography, and aims to build key skills for positions in research, spatial/social planning, and development consultancy and management.
The Department of Geography offers the opportunity to work at doctoral level alongside academics whose research has been internationally recognised. Students can benefit from the supportive academic community, where ideas and experiences are shared with the aim of advancing knowledge.
Lincoln's human geographers are working on projects exploring national and international migration; rural development; the spatial dimension of social and technological innovations; environmental history and geoarcheaology; environmental management, governance and behaviour; and the analysis and mapping of a range of economic and social inequalities from international to sub-regional scales.
How You Study
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. In addition, students are encouraged to attend School seminar and guest speaker events, and engage in a range of research and skills training opportunities in support of their studies.
Students will meet with their academic supervisor, however the regularity of this will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and the stage of their programme.
How You Study
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. In addition, students are encouraged to attend School seminar and guest speaker events, and engage in a range of research and skills training opportunities in support of their studies.
Students will meet with their academic supervisor, however the regularity of this will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and the stage of their programme.
Research Areas and Topics
Potential areas of work are aligned with the Department's current research strengths and specialisms and include (but are not limited to):
- Food production and water security
- Rural development policy
- Sustainable rural, agricultural and urban communities
- Migration and geodemographics
- Urban security and governance
- Managing post-disaster scenarios
- Geographies of health
- Environmental management/governance and behaviour
- Environmental history and geoarcheaology
- Perceptions of ‘place’ Development studies.
Development, Inequality, Resilience, and Environments (DIRE)
Development, Inequality, Resilience and Environments addresses the most urgent and immediate threats to the resilience of human environment systems and seeks to understand the complex interactions between societies and the landscapes they inhabit that precipitate vulnerability, including rural and urban dynamics. Our scope also contributes to the growing body of research undertaken by University of Lincoln academics around sustainability, in particular environmental justice, and the role of governance, both within the UK and abroad.
Lincoln Centre for Water and Planetary Health (LCWPH)
The Lincoln Centre for Water and Planetary Health (LCWPH) focuses on solving the most pressing global environmental and societal challenges related to aquatic ecosystems and water resources. These include hydrological and sea-level impacts of climate change, flood-related contamination from metal mining and processing, and water-borne and vector-borne diseases affecting humans and animals, as well as behavioural, political, and economic adaptation mechanisms to mitigate environmental and human health impacts.
As part of the LCWPH, we have recently established the Lincoln Climate Research Group (LCGR), which addresses the physical, social, environmental, and political causes and drivers of climate variations over a range of temporal and spatial scales in the Global North and Global South. The interdisciplinary nature of this research group also feeds into other key themes within the University, such as 'Rurality' (e.g. through climate impacts on agricultural production) and 'Communities' (e.g. through climate change impacts of and adaptation to floods and droughts, migration and cites).
Find out more on the Department's research pages:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/geography/research/
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/geography/research/postgraduateresearchprojects/
How you are assessed
Students will be required to demonstrate adequate and appropriate progress on an annual basis. Final assessment is by an oral examination (viva voce) of a research thesis. Students are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.
How you are assessed
Students will be required to demonstrate adequate and appropriate progress on an annual basis. Final assessment is by an oral examination (viva voce) of a research thesis. Students are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.
How to Apply and Enrolment
The key to a successful programme is to find a research subject that you are passionate about, and a supervisory team that have expertise in this area. The first thing that all students should do is directly contact a member of staff who works in an area that they are interested in. We have wide areas of expertise in the Department spanning climate change, river and coastal processes and pollution, waterborne diseases, biogeography, environmental behaviour, rural economy, social and political geography, development studies, and more.
Please visit the pages of the Department to find the areas you are interested in, and then identify potential academic supervisors:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/geography/
You are invited to contact the supervisors that you feel are best suited to your research area to discuss the process further. Applications should include a CV and a research proposal (not exceeding 3000 words, including references) with an indicative structure as follows: Names of proposed academic supervisors, aims and purpose of the research, overview of the academic literature relevant to your field, proposed methodology, and expected outcome/impact of your research. Upon positive evaluation of your proposal, you will be invited for an interview to discuss your personal/academics skills and your research project.
Enrolment Dates
To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February, or May. In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.
Entry Requirements 2022-23
First or second class honours degree in Geography or related discipline.
For direct PhD entry, applicants should possess a relevant Master's or MPhil degree in Geography or related discipline.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
First or second class honours degree in Geography or related discipline.
For direct PhD entry, applicants should possess a relevant Master's or MPhil degree in Geography or related discipline.
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Career Opportunities
Geography provides a broad range of career opportunities, including roles in the environmental and health sectors, the geographical information systems (GIS) industry, management and financial services, social and environmental consultancy, and teaching.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
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Research at Lincoln
Our research themes cover a unique set of areas, reflecting our role as a civic university and our aspirations to become thought leaders.

Studentships
There are opportunities to get involved in exciting research projects by applying for a studentship.

Supporting your Research
Support is available across the University, offering a friendly, creative, and academically challenging research environment.