About the Project
The University of Bath and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) are inviting applications for a three-year funded PhD project.
PhD topic
Much attention in climate research and policy is focused on high-profile actors such as policymakers, activists and green entrepreneurs, and on their role in shaping climate action. Yet just as important are the everyday professionals who are widely distributed across society and who engage with diverse publics as part of their work. People such as hairdressers, sports coaches, nurses and midwives, farmers, and advisers shape decisions, routines and norms through trusted, repeated interactions.
Many professionals are already responding to climate change in practice – adapting to water shortages, heatwaves and extreme weather, and dealing with the associated impacts on health, livelihoods and vulnerable groups. Embedded in organisations and communities, they are often seen as credible sources, professionals are uniquely positioned to connect individual action with wider organisational and systemic change, making them powerful but under-recognised catalysts for climate action.
This PhD will explore how professionals and organisations can act as catalysts for people-centred climate action. The project will focus on “intermediary” roles – such as health and social care professionals, agricultural advisers, business and public sector managers, or professional networks – who influence the behaviours of others.
Using mixed methods (e.g. qualitative case studies, surveys, participatory workshops), the student will co-develop and evaluate behaviour change interventions in one or more sectors. The research will examine how organisational structures, professional identities and practical constraints (time, resources, and professional obligations) shape what is feasible. The project will generate new conceptual and empirical insights into how interventions can be designed to support both climate mitigation and adaptation, and how professionals can be empowered as trusted messengers and change agents.
Skills, data and methods
You will develop skills in applied, interdisciplinary social research, including intervention design, participatory methods and mixed-methods analysis.
Training and development
You will have access to a varied professional development programme to support your research and future career. In addition, CAST has a dedicated Early Career Researcher network and access to conference, travel and some project expenses funding.
Project keywords:
Behavioural science; participatory research; climate change; organisational change; mixed methods.
Candidate Requirements:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or high Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, sociology, geography, business studies, or other relevant social sciences). A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement by the application deadline.
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr Sam Hampton – Sah53@bath.ac.uk.
Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Psychology prior to the closing date of this advert.
IMPORTANT:
When completing the application form:
- In the Funding your studies section, select ‘Other‘ as the studentship for which you are applying, specifying ‘CAST’ in the space below.
- In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes.
- Ensure that you upload to your application (in addition to the required academic documents): a personal statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining your motivation, skills, experiences related to the research area and your career plan.
Failure to complete these steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Applications for this project may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found. We therefore recommend that you contact the lead supervisor prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
Funding Notes
Students applying for this project will be considered for a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship comprising payment of tuition fees at the ‘Home’ rate, a doctoral stipend (£21,805 per annum, 2026/27 rate) and access to funds for research expenses.
This studentship is open to those that qualify for ‘Home’ fees only. You will likely need to hold UK or Irish citizenship, EU (Pre-)Settled status in the UK, or another form of indefinite leave to be eligible for Home fees. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
References
CAST, 2024. People at the Heart of Climate Transformations.
Latter, B., Hampton, S., Baden, D., Hodgson, S., 2025. Public engagement and climate change: exploring the role of hairdressers as everyday influencers. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5292226
Kivimaa, P., Bergek, A., Matschoss, K., van Lente, H., 2020. Intermediaries in accelerating transitions: Introduction to the special issue. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 36, 372–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2020.03.004
Parag, Y., Janda, K., 2014. More than filler: Middle actors and socio-technical change in the energy system from the “middle-out.” Energy Research & Social Science 3, 102–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2014.07.011
