Queen's University Belfast

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Human Behaviour Change for sustainable dairy farming

• Human Behaviour Change for sustainable dairy farming: School of Psychology | PHD Applications are now CLOSED
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Overview

• PLEASE NOTE THAT CANDIDATES FOR THIS PROJECT MUST NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO QUEEN’S. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA A FOODBIOSYSTEMS DTP ONLINE APPLICATION FORM. PLEASE VISIT: https://research.reading.ac.uk/foodbiosystems/for-phd-students-2/#p1 Dairy farms are under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint, yet many practical and cost-effective methods remain under-used. Although tools and advisory services exist, farmers face varied constraints that affect what they can adopt in daily practice. These include limited time, financial pressures, uncertainty about benefits, and differing needs across farm systems. This project examines how human behaviour influences the uptake of sustainability practices on dairy farms and how tailored support can improve adoption. Working with Dale Farm, the student will explore what helps or hinders change, develop ways to support farmers, and examine whether these approaches improve environmental outcomes. The aim is to help create solutions that work across different types of dairy farms, supporting a more sustainable and resilient sector.

Research aims: 1. To identify what affects the adoption of sustainable dairy farming practices 2. To design and test behaviour-change approaches that support farmers in implementing these practices across different farm systems. What you will do: The student will begin by reviewing preliminary survey data collected by Dale Farm, building a clear picture of key barriers to sustainable farming practices. They will then conduct interviews and focus groups with farmers, gaining rich, real-world perspectives on these issues. These findings will underpin the design of a behaviour-change intervention tailored to different farm types. Possible interventions include personalised feedback for farms, farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities, adapted advisory messages, or practical tools that address farmer capability, opportunity or motivation to address sustainability concerns. Working hand-in-hand with Dale Farm, the student will help to deliver these approaches and track changes in practice adoption, participation in sustainability programmes, and estimated benefits to the environment, animals and the farmer. Quantitative and qualitative methods will be combined throughout, and the student will collaborate closely with academic supervisors and industry partners at each stage of the project. Student profile: Essential for project: A background in one or more of the following: psychology, agriculture, animal science, environmental science, sustainability, or related subject areas. The student should have an interest in maintaining high standards of animal health and welfare. Desirable for project: Experience with qualitative research methods, working with farming communities and knowledge of sustainable farming practices All FoodBioSystems applicants: An upper 2nd class degree (or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the project. Candidates with a lower class of Bachelors degree, but merit or above at Masters level, will also be considered. Demonstrable skills in problem-solving, team-working, communication and time-management. References: 1. Michie, S., Van Stralen, M. M., & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: a new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation science, 6(1), 42. 2. Ormston, S., Yan, T., Chen, X., Gordon, A. W., Theodoridou, K., Huws, S., & Stergiadis, S. (2025). Impact of dietary forage proportion and crossbreeding on feed efficiency and methane emissions in lactating dairy cows. Animal Nutrition, 20, 419-429. 3. Carroll, G. A., Groarke, J. M., & Graham-Wisener, L. (2021). Human behaviour change models for improving animal welfare. In Bridging research disciplines to advance animal welfare science: A practical guide (pp. 91-106). GB: CABI. 4. Broom, D. M. (2022). Animal welfare in relation to human welfare and sustainability–a review paper. Veterinarskiarhiv, 92(5), 541-547. 5. Dunphy, N., Kearney, S., & Flannery, S. (2025). Behavioural drivers and barriers for adopting climate mitigation actions on dairy farms. Advancements in Agricultural Development, 6(4), 32-49.

Funding Information

We welcome applications from candidates with Home/ROI fees and international fees status. This studentship is funded by UKRI and covers stipend, fees at Home/ROI rate, and research costs. The host university will not charge UKRI funded international students the difference between Home/ROI fees and international fees. Costs that must be found from other sources or met by the individual student include: visa fees, healthcare surcharge, relocation costs and guarantor services. For up to date information on funding eligibility, studentship rates and part-time registration, please visit the FoodBioSystems website: https://research.reading.ac.uk/foodbiosystems/

Dr Grace Carroll

More Information

g.carroll@qub.ac.uk

Research Profile

Full-time: 4 years

Psychology overview

The School of Psychology has a thriving, well-resourced and engaged PhD community that is central to its research environment. Students are strategically appointed to research projects with the express purpose of enhancing research capacity and development in prioritised areas for which the School aims to enhance world-leading research. MODE OF STUDY / DURATION Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).

Course content

Associated Research The School of Psychology has a postgraduate research community of around 50 PhD students who are very well resourced and supported in their research. The School has made extensive material investments in infrastructure, including two computer labs and access to several suites of dedicated research labs, to support their research. Students are a central part of the research environment of the School and participate in School-level seminars and research meetings. Students are expected and encouraged to publish during their PhD research and are supported in doing so through their research training. Subject-specific postgraduate modules in research design and methods are delivered as part of the PhD training portfolio to complement the generic University training and further topic-specific research training is also available. Other opportunities exist to attract funding from non-governmental sources. Current and previous PhD sponsors include professional services firms, international Governments, charities, and technology companies. We also welcome self-funding students on a full-time or part-time basis. The School of Psychology at Queen's ranked in the top 10 psychology departments in the UK for research intensity in REF 2014 and provides an excellent environment in which to carry out PhD research. One distinctive aspect of the PhD experience in the School of Psychology is the high level of spontaneous peer-support, initiative, and engagement among this community of Doctoral researchers. This is valued and fostered by the School through its support of the postgraduate conference and postgraduate week activities as well as wide-ranging involvement of research students across many aspects of School life. Our PhD community also organizes numerous social events each year that are very popular amongst both staff and students. There is a range of sources of funding available for PhD students. Every year the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DEL) funds a number of PhD students to undertake research on pre-specified topics within the School of Psychology. These topics and the names of the associated supervisors are typically advertised online in December with a closing date in February. Last year's topics spanned research topics across Development, Social, Cognitive and Biological Psychology. Selected applicants are invited to interview and the successful candidate is offered a fully funded place with fees paid and an annual maintenance stipend for the three years of the PhD. Eligibility criteria can be found at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/delterms Students who wish to self-fund or explore external funding sources are advised to peruse our staff webpages (http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/psy/Staff/) and to contact potential supervisors to discuss potential topics. Most students continue within academia to take up postdoctoral research positions, fellowships or lectureships in psychology. Some continue into clinical or educational psychology training while others take up research positions in the private and public sectors.

Introduction For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk. Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.

Professor Teresa McCormack Director of Postgraduate Research School of Psychology

Entrance requirements

Graduate The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Psychology from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country .

Evidence of an IELTS score of 7.0, with not less than 6.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, is required (taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs .

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC

Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC

England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC

EU Other 3 | £28,900

International | £28,900

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. All fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees .

Psychology costs

Depending on the area of research chosen there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students .

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply .

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here .

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Download Postgraduate Prospectus

Research areas