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Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School Organisations, Systems and People and will be supervised by Dr Natasha Gjorevska and Professor Samantha Parsley.

The project will investigate contemporary challenges and opportunities within social-solidarity organisations, with a particular focus on post-crisis socio-ecological sustainability transition of food social enterprises. This is an area of practical and theoretical relevance, given the emerging social and environmental challenges worldwide. For example, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed many inequalities within the global economy and society (see Zanoni and Mir, 2022) and its aftermath is unfolding a significant effect on third-sector organisations. While these organisations were at the forefront of tackling grand challenges/wicked problems (e.g., Pradilla et al., 2022) and creating social change during the pandemic (e.g., Fransen et al., 2022), in the post pandemic world, many food social enterprises closed their businesses. It is therefore relevant to explore the crisis effects on third sector organisations and their capacity for driving social change for creating a more socio-ecologically just world.

A critical and predominantly qualitative methodology is proposed in order to capture interpretive and political processes likely to be in evidence. The project will combine narrative and visual methodologies using a case study design (e.g., Yin, 2009) and will require researcher’s prolonged presence in the field to explore and understand third-sector practices. Specific suggested methods: semi-structured interviews and story completion (e.g., Braun et al., 2019; Gravett, 2019), observation, use of images (e.g., Grounded Visual Pattern Analysis – GVPA by Shortt and Warren, 2019), focus groups.

The project may be conducted as a ‘Compilation Thesis’ during which the student will prepare and submit 4 manuscripts for publication, in order to maximise their academic career development.

There is also a short-term opportunity to be involved in a research project led by Dr Gjorevska between September 2024 – April 2025 on an hourly paid basis, which project is closely related to the topic of investigation advertised in this call.

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK  (UK and EU students only – eligibility criteria apply).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Gjorevska (Natasha.Gjorevska@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

Please also include a research proposal of 1,000 words outlining the main features of your proposed research design – including how it meets the stated objectives, the challenges this project may present, and how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field. 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code OS&P5041025 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.