DMU studentship
Dig for Health: Evaluating a community food growing and environmental project for individual and community sustainability
Three years, tuition fee costs
STARTING OCTOBER 2012
The Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD) conducts internationally recognised multi-disciplinary research focussed on the human and technological dimensions of sustainability. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008), 65% of the Institute’s research was rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. This community-embedded project broadens the IESD’s research on sustainable urban environments and the impact of the environment on human health/wellbeing. The project is a collaborative venture with the University of Michigan’s Integrative Medicine programme (a US-based, world-leading research university; http://www.med.umich.edu/umim) and the Saffron Acres Project, a UK Big Lottery-funded community-based sustainability project. It is also part of a De Montfort University initiative to develop research capacity into new and evolving areas of study through national and international collaboration.
Project Description: Mental wellbeing is increasingly considered fundamental to an individual’s quality of life and to an engaged, healthy community. Yet, globally, mental disorders are increasing. While physical activity in and of itself can, for example, relieve symptoms of depression, an expanding catalogue of research suggests that interaction with nearby nature (e.g. urban parks, gardening) contributes to mental wellbeing. Increasingly, there is interest in how community-based environmental projects might contribute to social/community wellbeing as well as to sustainable behaviour. This project investigates the effects of taking part in a community-based food growing project on positive psychological and mental states.
Dig for Health draws on theories from environmental psychology, positive psychology, a multi-dimensional conceptual framework of health and the stress response/relaxation response model. An in-depth case study approach using mixed-methods will be undertaken in partnership with the Saffron Acres Project to evaluate (formative, process, and summative) the individual, community and environmental benefits gained from community food growing. While particular emphasis will be placed on mental/psychological and social wellbeing, individual health is placed within the context of both community and environmental sustainability. Specific methods may include qualitative and observational for understanding the experience and contribution of food growing/gardening to wellbeing (of particular importance for investigating the social dimension). Quantitative methods, both self-report (e.g. changes in diet) and objective (e.g. visits to doctor) may also be useful. An important component of the project will be identification / development of appropriate tools and the development of innovative methodologies that are accessible for use in-the-field (e.g. smiley-face scorecards, digital applications).
Desired Applicants: You must have a minimum of a strong first degree (First Class, Upper Second Class or equivalent) in a people-focused discipline such as environmental psychology, human geography, community and youth development, health or related discipline and a keen interest in the relationship between people and the natural environment. Knowledge and/or experience of different research designs, methods and some familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative analysis would be beneficial. You must be able to work in a self-directed manner and have inter-personal skills to work effectively with others.
The IESD offers a vibrant work environment and a collaborative research culture with a growing cohort of higher degree students who engage in peer-learning as well as work alongside research staff from the social and technical sciences. You will have your own work space, excellent facilities and funding for travel (e.g. to present work at conferences). You will have access to a range of research training courses as well as bespoke training necessary for the project.
The post offers coverage of all university tuition fees for full-time study starting October 2012. Citizens of the UK and EU are eligible.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 18th May 2012
Informal enquires may be made to: Dr Katherine Irvine (E-mail: kirvine@dmu.ac.uk; Tel: +44 (0)116 207 8711). To receive an application pack, please contact the Graduate School Office via email at researchstudents@dmu.ac.uk. Completed applications should be returned together with a full CV and two supporting references.
Please quote ref: DMU Research Scholarships 2012: TECH FO2
NERC Open CASE studentship (Expired)
Modelling of Robust and Adaptable Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
UK/EU fees and 3.5 years maintenance bursary
A PhD research studentship within the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), an internationally leading multi-disciplinary research institute focused on the human and technological dimensions of sustainability, is available to suitably qualified UK students. Applications are invited from well-qualified, highly motivated individuals for a PhD studentship, commencing April 2012. This CASE award is being operated in collaboration with Mimer Energy Ltd based in Falmouth, Cornwall. The student would be expected to spend a portion of their time at the company.
Concern with UK carbon emissions arising from cooling of non-domestic buildings has lead to growing interest in geothermal heating and cooling systems (Ground Source Heat Pumps). There are a number of novel systems that are innovations of established geothermal system technology that are potentially able to provide significant reductions in building carbon emissions. Such hybrid systems are able to expand the possible application of this renewable technology and also increase its robustness to changes in operation and adaptation to climate change. As satisfactory behavior of geothermal systems depends on annual and super-annual heat balances, simulation methods must be employed in the design process. Model studies must include the dynamics of ground heat transfer over large scales and the dynamic operation of the heating and cooling system. The development of suitable modeling methods and their application to the analysis of novel geothermal heating and cooling systems is the challenge to be addressed in the project.
The successful applicant will join a group of researchers at the IESD, at De Montfort University, who are conducting research in the area of geothermal heating and cooling systems. The Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD) is an internationally leading research institute focusing on energy and sustainability. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008), 65% of the Institute’s research was rated “world leading” or “internationally excellent”. You will be provided with excellent facilities and funding for travel, e.g. to present work at conferences and will be offered bespoke training for your project.
This NERC CASE award is being operated in collaboration with Mimer Energy Ltd (www.mimerenergy.com). The student will receive training and develop the research with the company for a portion of each of three years. You would be supervised by the senior technical staff of the company who have an extensive track record in the design and application of geothermal heating and cooling technology. This will be an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the UK Renewable Energy sector.
Applications are invited from UK students with a good first degree (First, 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject (an Earth Science, Engineering or physical science subject). NERC CASE awards are open to UK citizens or students having a "relevant connection with the UK" as outlined in the NERC student handbook http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/studentships/ EU students who have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years may also be eligible for a full award. The award will provide fees and a tax free maintenance bursary of £14,590 per annum.
Closing date: 27 February 2012
Interview date: End of March
Starting date: April 2012
Informal enquires may be made to: Dr Simon Rees, Tel: +44 (0)116 257 7974 sjrees@dmu.ac.uk
Applicants should contact Anne Smith to receive an application pack, which requires a full CV with two supporting references. Please email amsmith@dmu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)116 2576519 for further details.
Please quote ref: IESD NERC CASE studentship 2011.
|
