AHRC PhD studentship: Data-driven climate change risk assessment for heritage in England

Overview

We are looking for someone to join our team to undertake a PhD research project that will deepen our understanding of the risks posed by climate change to heritage in England. This will use advanced data science and spatial analysis methods while also developing your ability to apply data science in a heritage context.

Funding

CDP doctoral training grants fund full-time studentships for 45 months (3.75 years) or part-time equivalent. The studentship has the possibility of being extended for an additional 3 months to provide professional development opportunities, or up to 3 months of funding may be used to pay for the costs the student might incur in taking up professional development opportunities.

The award pays UK rate of tuition fees up to the value of the full-time home UKRI rate for PhD degrees. Research Councils UK Indicative Fee Level for 2022/2023 is £4,596.

NOTE: The studentship does not cover international fees which at UCL for 2022/23  have been set at £23350. UKRI regulations (point 2 fees) do allow for the difference between UK and Overseas to be covered  by the student /family or via any additional funding the candidate may have already secured.

Applicants should be familiar with the changes to EU and International Eligibility for UKRI funded studentships.

The award pays full maintenance for both home and international students. The studentship will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £18,600* per year for 4 years *Exact amounts still to be confirmed

The student is eligible to receive an additional travel and related expenses grant during the course of the project courtesy of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (on behalf of Historic England) worth up to £1,000 per year for 3.75 years (45 months - £4,000 total).

Background

A changing climate is impacting the resilience of the infrastructure, economy and resource use, and wellbeing that underpin society. Heritage, within the historic built environment and archaeological sites, has an important role to play in addressing each of these aspects. Most risk assessment to date on climate change and heritage has focused on hazard assessment, including mapping, and communicating changes in frequency of occurrence and/or severity, combined with a qualitative representation of the vulnerability. Thus, our perception of areas that are prone to the greatest level of risk to climate change in the UK is informed by those with the most significant changes in hazards. However, this overlooks the fact only a small fraction of heritage, certain types of heritage, or heritage with significance to particular communities, may lie within these areas as identified through hazard assessment alone, or have values that are vulnerable to those hazards.

Studentship aims

A more accurate understanding of climate change related risks for heritage needs to incorporate diverse aspects of risk, such as vulnerability and exposure. Due to the diversity and scale of England’s rich heritage (there are about 360,000 heritage assets on the National Heritage list for England and many times that on local Historic Environment Records and existent as unlisted heritage), this requires a data-driven approach. Working closely with Historic England, you will undertake a statistical climate change risk assessment that incorporates hazard, vulnerability, and exposure for England’s heritage. Working in the context of cultural heritage is, by definition, value-driven and therefore challenging, requiring both technical expertise and an awareness of the broader social and cultural context of the work. You will also undertake a 3- to 6-month placement or training course to complement the skills and expertise that will be developed through the core research.

Person specification

We encourage the widest range of potential students to study for this CDP studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply, including those with atypical academic profiles and/or equivalent experience. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area.

You should meet the UCL ISH PhD Programme Entry Requirements, for which a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise (including, but not limited to, archaeology, heritage, statistics, engineering) are welcomed. In addition, the following criteria are desirable:

• Familiarity with data science and spatial analysis techniques
• Experience or a demonstrable interest in the cultural heritage sector and/or related creative sectors
• Evidence of interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written)

You will also need to meet the minimum language requirements of UCL.

Applicants should be familiar with the changes to EU and International Eligibility for UKRI funded studentships

Application procedure

Stage 1 – Eligibility and How to apply

Please submit a pre-application by email to Bartlett.BSEER-PhD-Admin bseer-phd-admin@ucl.ac.uk   with Subject Reference: 4-year PhD Data-driven climate change risk assessment for heritage in England.

You pre- application should include the following:

• A brief covering letter clearly stating why you wish to apply for this role, including how your interests and experience relate to the project, and confirm your understanding of Changes to EU and International Eligibility for UKRI funded studentships
• CV
• Complete the EPSRC/AHRC fees and EDI questionnaire via the linked Microsoft Forms.

Stage 2 – Interview process

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

For the interview shortlisted candidates will be asked to:

• provide proof of their degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) of degree(s), and proof of their fees background.
• Prepare a 2-page research proposal that covers the project context, a proposed methodology, and expected outcomes; the interview will include a brief discussion of the proposal
• Provide contact details for two referees, who may be contacted around the time of interview

•  The interview panel will consist of members of the supervisory team, and an additional representative of Historic England
•  Following the interview, the successful candidate will be invited to make a formal application to the relevant UCL Research Degree programme within ISH.

Collaborative award students are expected to spend time at both the University and with Historic England.  You will also undertake a 3- to 6-month funded placement, which can be with Historic England or another cultural organisation or undertake relevant funded training in the cultural sector to complement the skills and expertise that will be developed through the core research. 

Key dates

Deadline for applications: Sunday 15 May 2022 @23:59PM (UK TIME)

Expected interview date: We are aiming to have the interviews  during weeks commencing 6 and 13 June. Depending on applications these dates might change. 

Expected start date: Start by 1 October 2022

Contacts

For further details about the admission process, please contact: Bartlett.BSEER-PhD-Admin (bseer-phd-admin@ucl.ac.uk)

For any further details regarding the project context and topic, please contact: Dr Scott Allan Orr (scott.orr@ucl.ac.uk)

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