PhD Opportunity on Saltmarsh Perceptions.
Swansea University are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for a fully funded PhD studentship under the ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS), in collaboration with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).
The project, currently titled “Perceptions of Saltmarsh Change: Comparing Community Experiences Before and After Restoration”, will aim to explore how local communities perceive saltmarsh restoration across different stages of implementation, with a focus on sites along the Severn Estuary.
This is a collaborative and interdisciplinary opportunity, co-supervised by Dr Erin Roberts and Dr Cai Ladd at Swansea University, with further supervision by Dr Jonathan Reeves at WWT. The successful candidate selected in this EoI exercise will be nominated for the studentship. They will work with the supervisors to shape the direction of the project, to reflect their own interests and disciplinary background.
They are looking to support candidates who:
• Are eligible for WGSSS funding (see WGSSS eligibility criteria)
• Have a strong academic background (typically a first or upper second-class
degree, or a master’s from a UK academic research organisation)
• Are interested in environmental governance, community engagement, and
nature-based solutions
• Are keen to work collaboratively with non-academic partners
To apply, please send:
1. Your CV
2. A brief note (max 500 words) outlining how you would approach the project, based on the WGSSS studentship description and your own interests.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet online with the supervisory team (Dr Roberts and Dr Ladd) and a representative from WWT to decide who to put forward for the studentship.
Please send your expression of interest to erin.m.roberts@swansea.ac.uk by November 24th 2025.
Swansea University particularly welcome applications from candidates who bring diverse perspectives
and experiences to the research.