Terra
PhD POSITION SC LAND
Landscape structure and collective conservation nudges: a mixed-methods approach on the potential of cross-border conservation.
STARTING DATE
June-July 2022
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), is looking for highly motivated candidates who can develop PhD research on the interdependence between agricultural transitions, incentives and nudge-based conservation tools, and collective action. The hired person would be funded by a PhD scholarship (FPI) by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, which will start in September 2022. Additional funds are available for acquiring data, conducting fieldwork, attending conferences or organizing short-term visits to international research centres.
The PhD research project is fairly open but should be oriented to better understand the conditions under which farmers are willing to engage in agricultural conservation practices and do so collectively to favor large agricultural transitions to sustainability at the landscape level. A conservation tool that we would be particularly keen on working with are Agro-Environmental Schemes (AES); however, we are open to exploring other policy tools. We are interested in contributing to the literature on conservation incentives by integrating insights from “nudge” and collective action theory. In principle, the ecological effectiveness of some conservation measures such as those promoting pest control, pollination, biodiversity corridors, or the maintenance of certain landscape elements such as hedge rows or water streams can considerably increase if implemented following certain spatial patterns (i.e., by neighboring landowners). In practice, however, much of this theory remains untested. Moreover, coordination may also entail managerial challenges which may hinder the ecological effectiveness of the measures. This project will test the promise of collective conservation efforts via the combination of large-n statistical and qualitative analysis, and experiments. Findings should contribute to evaluate and inform recent European policy efforts to promote ecological agglomeration effects and transitions to more sustainable agricultural systems. The specific focus of the research would be decided through a series of conversations between the PhD candidate and the supervisors (Prof. Sergio Villamayor-Tomás and Prof. Esteve Corbera), while taking into account also the background and experience of the student.
REQUIRED SKILLS
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Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in relevant fields (e.g., environmental sciences/studies, geography, agricultural engineering/sciences, social sciences, or policy studies);
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Experience with certain research methods (e.g., surveys, statistical analysis or modelling);
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Proficiency in English language.
APPLICATION
Those interested should send the following documents to pr.mdm.icta@uab.cat:
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A Curriculum Vitae (CV);
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A short letter motivating your interest in, and suitability for, the project. Some indication of personal interests regarding research are welcome as well.
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Names and contact details of two referees.
Please mention “Application to ICTA-UAB FPI PhD Position – SC LAND” in your email subject.
Applications must be received no later than 27th September 2021, 23:59 CET.
We will inform candidates about the selection outcomes in late September and subsequently invite the selected candidate to formally apply for a PhD grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The call for such a grant usually opens in October and resolves in May-June of the following year. Being selected by ICTA-UAB guarantees being selected by the Ministry.
For more information about the procedure please contact pr.mdm.icta@uab.cat and for information about the project content please contact sergio.villamayor@uab.cat or esteve.corbera@uab.cat