PhD Studentship
Climate coloniality: Histories, knowledges, and materialities of climate adaptation in southern and eastern Africa
Applications are welcome for a 42-month funded PhD studentship held at the Department of Geography, University of Lincoln.
Supervisor: Dr Matthew Hannaford (University of Lincoln)
Closing Date: 5 August 2024
Interviews: 14 August 2024
Start Date: by November 2024
The University of Lincoln is offering a fully funded (home students) 3.5 year PhD studentship under the supervision of Dr Matthew Hannaford, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography.
Project background
Climate change and related extremes represent one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century. Yet lived experiences of climate change vary, with negative impacts disproportionately felt by marginalised populations who have historically contributed the least per capita emissions. This PhD will advance understanding of an under-researched topic within this urgent context: the role of colonial power and knowledge in shaping climate adaptation and vulnerability, past and present. Current analyses and practices of adaptation rarely engage with deep histories of colonialism and repeated disaster, but there is now mounting concern that today's adaptation strategies are resurrecting ideas and initiatives propagated through colonialism, for example by undermining local adaptation strategies. At worst, this risks reproducing rather than reducing the vulnerability of populations that are already on the frontline of the climate crisis.
The PhD provides a unique opportunity to develop innovative and impactful research on selected aspects of this area, focusing on southern and eastern Africa. The project will be shaped according to the successful candidate’s interests and expertise, but potential research questions could include:
- How did climate coloniality emerge in different settings via the (re)construction of climate knowledges and imposition of material practices amidst colonial intensification?
- What was the multidirectional nature of interaction between climate knowledges, adaptation strategies, and recurring climatic extremes?
- How did Africans resist or influence climate thinking amongst Westerners despite colonial relations of power?
- How can these climate histories be integrated into foresight planning and scenarios to drive equitable climate change adaptation?
The research will benefit from extensive interaction with a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, which aims to develop usable pasts of climate extremes, colonial marginalisation and local agency in southern Africa, where the imperative of climate change adaptation has been underscored by recent cyclone and drought disasters. Through co-production with project partners and local stakeholders, this project aims to bring deeper understanding of climate coloniality into new interaction with foresight and scenario planning to drive equitable and sustainable adaptation.
Overall, completion of the project will equip the candidate with invaluable interdisciplinary expertise necessary for cross-cutting research and practice to tackle complex global challenges.
Person Specification and Entry Requirements
Applicants will have a bachelor’s degree in Geography, History, or related discipline with a minimum classification of 2:1. They will have excellent communication skills, experience of conducting qualitative research, and the potential to engage in interdisciplinary and innovative research.
How to Apply
Please email a CV, a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the position and your relevant experience, your research proposal (up to two pages), and contact details of two referees to Dr Matthew Hannaford, mhannaford@lincoln.ac.uk, with the subject title “Studentship 1AB-2CK-900677”. Informal enquiries are welcome.
Funding
A stipend of £19,236 per annum will be paid in monthly instalments for a duration of 3.5 years. The studentship covers tuition fees for home students. Non-home students would be required to secure funding for the additional international fees, and should clarify this in their cover letter.
The studentship comes with a research training support grant of £1,000 per year to cover costs such as travel, fieldwork, overseas research visits and conference attendance.