MPhil/PhD Studentship in Resilience and Regeneration for Regional Economies - building regional economic resilience through regenerative economics

Investing in excellence: studentship opportunities

The University of Derby has an opportunity for a full-time postgraduate research studentship in the Business, Economic and Social Policy and Zero Carbon areas of research in the Derby International Business School.

The successful applicant will receive a maintenance stipend (based on the minimum stipend defined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27) and home MPhil/PhD tuition fees (£5,238 - subject to amendment) only up to the target submission date.

The intended intake period is January 2027.

International applicants may need to defer to March 2027 to allow sufficient time for CAS issuance and visa processing.

Please note: If your application is successful and you are assessed as international for fees purposes, you will need to pay the difference between the home fees and the international fees.

The successful applicant will be expected to complete their MPhil/PhD within 3 years on the MPhil/PhD route, contribute to the College REF submission and get involved in the wider research activities of the College.

Applicants will become part of a friendly and welcoming team and will be supported and managed by their supervisors.

The vacancy details are as follows:

Project description

Are you interested in shaping the future of regional economies in an era of climate change, technological disruption and economic uncertainty? We are inviting applications for a PhD studentship offering an exciting opportunity to contribute to the emerging field of resilient and regenerative economics while generating research with real-world policy impact.

As our world faces increasing economic, technological, environmental and societal shocks, businesses and governments at all levels need evidence-based approaches to help regions not only recover from shocks but also adapt, transform and create long-term sustainable prosperity. While considerable attention has focused on recovery from shocks, there remains limited understanding of how places can build long-term resilience through regenerative approaches that strengthen economic, social and environmental systems simultaneously.

This interdisciplinary project sits at the intersection of applied economics, business strategy, sustainability and public policy. Using literature review, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement and empirical research you will investigate how businesses, governments and communities can better anticipate, adapt to and recover from future disruptions.

You will work closely with the University of Derby Regional Economic Observatory (UDREO), the Centre for Business Improvement (CBI) and our regional partners, and contribute to innovative research that supports sustainable, inclusive and place-based economic development.

The project will give you the opportunity to develop your mixed-methods research skills, build on quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis, engage with our stakeholders and enhance your career prospects.

Purpose/objectives

The purpose of this PhD is to advance understanding of how regional economies can build resilience and regeneration capabilities in response to economic, environmental and societal challenges.

Drawing upon regional economics, regenerative economics, sustainability and public policy, you will develop a transferrable framework of analytical and evidence-generation tools for assessing local and regional economic resilience and regenerative capacity and successfully apply it in the context of the East Midlands region for policymaking, business strategy and regional development interventions.

As part of this PhD, you will:

• Identify the economic, social, environmental and institutional determinants of regional resilience and regeneration
• Examine how regenerative economic approaches can enhance adaptive capacity and sustainable regional development
• Develop and test a practical framework and toolkit for analysing resilience and regeneration capabilities across regions and sectors
• Contribute to the research output of our research cluster.

Potential project impact

This research project has the potential to influence both academic debate and practical policymaking at regional and national levels. By producing new evidence, analytical tools and policy insights, the project will help our region to better prepare for future economic, environmental and social shocks.

Potential impacts include:

• Supporting our regional partners such as EMCCA, the local authorities, the East Midlands Chamber, businesses and community organisations to develop more resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth strategies
• Creating a transferable resilience and regeneration framework that can be applied across different regions, sectors and policy contexts
• Contributing to high-quality academic publications, future research funding opportunities and the University's civic mission

The project offers an excellent opportunity for candidates seeking to combine rigorous academic research with meaningful societal and policy impact.

To apply

Please review our entry requirements before submitting your application and check out the 'Getting Started' section below.

Completed applications should be submitted via our online application system. It is important that you quote the funding reference: QR_DIBS_REGENERATIVE_2627

Apply online

Closing dates for applications: 8 November 2026.

Interviews: 20 November 2026 to 26 November 2026.

If you have not been invited for an interview by the interview date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

For other enquiries which are subject-specific please contact:

Dr Eugene Michaels - E.I.Michaels@derby.ac.uk

Dr Polina Baranova - P.Baranova@derby.ac.uk

Getting started

Before you begin your application, make sure you have the following:

Studentship funding reference code

It is important that you quote the funding reference: QR_DIBS_REGENERATIVE_2627 in your application, at the top of your personal statement.

Required Documents

Before submitting your application, please ensure you upload all required documents to enable us to assess your application fully. References may be provided at a later stage.

Personal statement

A 500-word personal statement outlining your suitability for the studentship project. This is a mandatory requirement and you must upload it into your application. You should include your reasons for applying for the studentship, your experience in the field, how you feel you would benefit from studying and relevant information about your previous studies.

Your CV

A CV outlining your academic and professional experience.

Qualifications

Your qualification details including grades and dates taken. You will have the opportunity to upload scanned copies of your qualification certificates and transcripts in the application. If you have no formal qualifications, you can also state this in your application.

Photo ID

A scanned copy of your photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. This will help us verify your application to study with us.

Academic references

Two signed academic references. This is optional at application stage but highly encouraged. If successful in your application, two academic references will be a mandatory requirement of admission. The references should be in written format, signed and dated from either a supervisor or tutor from your most recent studies.

For international applicants

The University of Derby has a network of international agents and representatives in different regions. For postgraduate research degree applications, depending on your country of origin, you may need to apply through an agent. You can contact any of our agents and apply to study with us through them.

Some agents may charge for provision of services so please check this directly with the agent. Please be aware that, if you apply directly to the University without going through an agent, we may contact you and you will be required to re-apply through an agent or representative before your application can be considered.