Political Economy of Production and Consumption Transformations

The University of Leeds are offering a fully funded PhD scholarship in the Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment for one UK candidate starting in October 2026.

Full description

This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research on the political economy of the UK’s industrial transformation. The scholarship will be part of the Production and Consumption Transformations (PACT) Centre which is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

The project will focus on the political economy of production and consumption transformations in the UK. We are particularly interested in examining (1) the political-economic dynamics along production–consumption chains within specific sectors and strategies for intervention, (2) the actors, coalitions, and institutional arrangements that can align industrial strategy with climate and social-ecological goals, and (3) the policy levers needed to bridge production and consumption to catalyse systemic change. As part of this PhD scholarship, there is an option to spend up to six months at DESNZ through a secondment.

Find out more here.

Closing date: 30 June 2026