[School of Engineering PhD Scholarships] Enhancing social infrastructure to build resilience to disruptive events: a comparison of in-person and online interactions

About the project

About the Project In cities, social infrastructure, defined as “social, cultural and financial activities and institutions as well as associated property, buildings and artefacts” (Dodman et al 2022), is as important to prosperity and living well as the technical infrastructures, for example transport, water and power networks. In the event of disruptions, it is these social infrastructures, and the connections between people, created through activities and the spaces where those activities take place which are central to protecting and maintaining everyday life during times when access to technical infrastructures is disrupted. In the UK, planning for disaster response and enhancing resilience is described as a ‘whole society’ approach and households are increasingly being told to keep emergency kits at home, to prepare an emergency plan for their household and to talk to their neighbours. At the local level training and initiatives, both in-person and online, for example Groundworks Communities Prepared, aim to build individual and community capacity and enhance social infrastructures to enable social resilience to disruptions to technical infrastructure. These social infrastructures are the focus of this PhD project, with a primary focus on resilience to climate impacts but with applicability to other forms of disruption e.g. loss of power due to a cyber-event. This PhD aims to assess the relationship between social infrastructure and social resilience to disruptive events, using extreme weather events as an exemplar. Working with communities who have engaged in face-to-face and online resilience building programmes, it will: 1. Undertake a rapid evidence review of the emerging field of place-based social infrastructure 2. Map initiatives which aim to build social resilience and characterise initiative types: 3. Develop a framework to assess social infrastructure 4. Conduct case studies of in-person, online and hybrid activities to assess the level of social infrastructure developed through different types of initiatives. The project uses mixed methods: quantitative social network analysis conducted in deliberative workshops with community members and qualitative methods (literature review, interviews, ethnographic observations) to assess and compare how different approaches to preparing communities for climate impacts build social infrastructure. The outcomes from this PhD will include at least two academic articles in high impact journals: 1) a first of a kind characterisation of social infrastructure initiative types; and 2) case studies of assessing the effectiveness of different types of resilience social interventions in building social infrastructures. In addition to papers, the research addresses gaps in The UK Government Resilience Action Plan by providing an evidence-based assessment of how social infrastructure, and the actions of communities and the voluntary sector, can enable society to take action to increase their resilience. Findings will be presented to practitioner audiences through key networks including C40 Cities and the Resilient Cities Network, through which we aim to translate the findings into guidance for local authorities and community groups. This project is expected to start in September 2027. Before you apply: We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. How to apply: To be considered for this project you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account this link will directly open an application for PhD School of Engineering Scholarships . If you don’t already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here. . When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing the motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications . Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status. We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder. Eligibility : The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD such as geography, sociology, environmental studies, environmental policy (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD such as geography, sociology, environmental studies, environmental policy (or international equivalent). Previous research experience with qualitative research methods; familiarity with climate adaptation and resilience literature; and an interest in participatory approaches and policy engagement is desirable. This project will remain open until filled. If your application is submitted by 1 st November 2026, you can expect a decision by 18 th December 2026. If your application is submitted by 15 th January 2027, you can expect a decision by 30 th March 2027. Self or externally funded students can also be considered for this project. FSESoE

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