Defining the Marine Fisheries-Energy-Environment Nexus: Learning from shocks to enhance natural resource resilience

About the project

Natural resource management tends to consider individual sectors in isolation and in simplistic terms. However, resource domains are interconnected and complex (the Nexus) requiring a need to consider them more holistically through a systems approach in which trade-offs and synergies (win:win) can be identified.

This project will investigate the interactions between food (marine fisheries), energy (fishing vessel fuel; offshore windfarms), and the environment (marine habitat / carbon storage) and how shocks (climate events, Brexit, pandemics, war in Ukraine) impact the system in both positive and negative and sometimes unforeseen ways.

For example, fishing activity may have declined in response to COVID-19 and associated reduction in demand or increased fuel prices due to the war in Ukraine. This may result in short term negative impacts on the fishing industry, but longer-term benefits for the resource (potential recovery from overfishing). Alternatively, for some the potential to remain at sea for longer periods may have reduced risk of catching COVID-19 on land if they have the ability to freeze their catch, while UK sanctions on Russian imports of whitefish may have increased demand and value of the product, offsetting the cost of fuel.

The successful applicant will have an interest in natural resource management,. as indicated by a degree in the relevant subject (Environmental Science, Economics or Environmental Engineering related discipline), an interest in developing new skills and using novel techniques (related to computer science) to solve challenges posed, and be comfortable with complexity with an ability to embrace nuance. They will develop data analytical skills, potentially in Big Data obtained from social media and AI, study design, Matlab and R, and technical writing capabilities. The student will join a cohort of like-minded researchers working on interdisciplinary projects. The research team at the International Centre for Ecohydraulics Research has a strong track record in publishing high impact scientific articles, public engagement and political outreach, and employability for graduates.

Potential supervisors

• Potential supervisors: Lead supervisor Professor Paul Kemp Professor of Ecological Engineering

Lead supervisor

• Lead supervisor: Professor Paul Kemp Professor of Ecological Engineering

Professor Paul Kemp

• Professor Paul Kemp: Professor of Ecological Engineering

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent

Fees and funding

For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend of £17,668 tax-free per year for up to 3.5 years.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

Applications should include:

• choose programme type (Research), 2022/23, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• choose “PhD in Engineering & Environment (Full time)”
• add the name of the supervisor (Paul Kemp)
• a research proposal
• curriculum vitae
• 2 reference letters
• degree transcripts/certificates to date

Contact us

Faculty of engineering and physical sciences

Email: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Research areas