Postgraduate Research

Postgraduate Research

Programme Overview

We are looking for exceptionally talented, motivated and creative scholars interested in a new generation of issues linked to the sustainable food supply for the planet, the governance of food systems, technical and social aspects of food production, hydrological processes and change, eco-hydrology, provision of clean water, and community resilience or adaption to climate change.

Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) 

We offer an engaging Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) providing bespoke and relevant training and mentoring, delivered by an international team of field experts. The DTP is versatile and flexible in addition to having rigour and relevance, allowing you to choose creditable development activities that fit your needs and research schedules. 

The Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) and facilities 

The University has invested over £7.5 million to establish the dedicated research facility at Garden Organic, Ryton Gardens, which boasts extensive office space, meeting rooms, IT equipment, soil and water labs, a computational modelling lab and a video-editing suite. As an integral part of CAWR, you will have access to all facilities and equipment. 

The CAWR Research Community

We are an international team of 50+ academics, from early career researchers, to full professors who are world leading experts in their respective fields. As a CAWR student, you will be regularly invited to participate in our thematic group meetings, guest seminars and general staff meetings, thereby gaining access to research expertise and mentoring beyond the immediate supervisory team. This allows you to gather insight into work culture, practices and norms by working alongside researchers and other professional services staff at the centre. You will have dedicated administrative support throughout the various stages of your progress, from application to award. 

  • For PhD students with a successful track record and prompt completion, who are offered the opportunity to compete for 1 year of post-doctoral funding at Coventry University. Informal expressions of interest, including a motivation letter, a resume and a brief research proposal, can be submitted to potential supervisors within CAWR.

  • CAWR offers the following Postgraduate Research opportunities:

    Masters by Research (MSc-R)

    Develop your research skills with this programme, which can be taken either as a stand-alone qualification or as a progression route into doctoral research.

    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

    We have an engaging doctoral programme delivered at the Centre which provides bespoke training. Students are fully integrated into CAWR via a range of activities including:

    • Tailored inductions
    • Research Seminars
    • Peer to peer presentations
    • Workshops
    • Summer Schools

    Career Prospects Following Postgraduate Study at CAWR

    • National and international government agencies
    • Non-government organisations
    • Research and development organisations
    • Academia
    • Community-based organisations
    • Private sector including small food companies and the farming sector

    A special feature of the University's Postgraduate Research development is that PhD students with a successful track record and prompt completion are offered the opportunity to complete for a one-year postdoctoral funding at Coventry University.

    Students are also provided with teaching opportunities within the Centre and the wider University.

  • For details on entry requirements and the formal application process and forms, please see Making an Application.

  • The Centre offers a range of fully funded opportunities each year, as well as some non-funded project ideals for those who are considering a PhD and would like to work on an already designed projects.

    Self-financing students with their own PhD proposals can choose from our team of academics, early career researchers and honorary research fellows with expertise in their fields, to form their supervisory team.

    Further Funding

    Many charities, foundations and trusts provide funding for postgraduate study, from small grants to full scholarships. Some are for specific subject areas while others have more general eligibility criteria. For more information click here


Anya Geiger CAWR PhD Researcher

CAWR PhD Research Q&A

Postgraduate candidate explains why Coventry University was the best place to expand her undergraduate degree into a PhD


A PhD at CAWR

Starting a PhD can always be a challenging and stressful experience, but thanks to the supportive staff and students at CAWR, it didn’t take long till it felt like my second home. In addition to social and cultural diversity, the mix of social and natural scientists means there is always someone to help you with any academic issues. This has been particularly valuable for my interdisciplinary research on food, energy and water waste reduction potentials. Adding lots of interesting academic seminars to the experience, what more could you ask for?

Ali Parsa, PhD Student
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