Sustainability Research (SRI) PhD Projects

An evaluation of the impact of voluntary sustainability management standards
and guidelines

Supervisors: Dr William Young

With the recent launch of ISO26000 ‘Guidance on Social Responsibility’ standard, it is timely to evaluate the impacts of these standards over the last 20 years. This includes (but not exclusively) ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and ISO14040 Life cycle assessment. Using evidence from historical databases, large research studies and expert interviews, the student will examine if these voluntary standards have contributed to absolute reductions in environmental impacts.

Supporting documents:
If you would like to be considered for research in this area, you will need to provide a full research proposal. This should be no longer than 6 pages, plus referencing. You will need to present the proposal in sections to include an introduction, the aims of the project/research questions, full methodology, and referencing. Referencing should be done in the style of a journal related to this research area.

Funding:
Scholarships should be sourced for this PhD.

Note to candidate: You will need to demonstrate that you have/are being consideredfor 3 years offunding to include tuition fees and living costs. Additionally, a bench fee may be charged, to cover exceptional consumables/fieldwork costs neededfor successful completion of the project. Please see the notes on ‘fees and scholarships’ in the main menu

Entry requirements/necessary background:
A 2.1 or 1st (or equivalent) degree in either environmental or business related areas.