Co-innovation for Caribbean Agroecology Transitions (CiCAT)

Eligibility: UK/International (including EU) graduates with the required entry requirements

Funding details: This is a fully-funded studentship, including tuition fees and bursary.

Duration: Full time - between three and three and a half years fixed term

Application deadline: 20 May 2022

Interview dates: Interview date will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates

Start date: September 2022

To find out more about the project, please contact Dr Georges Félix

Project details

The Caribbean region is an epicentre for extreme climate events, featuring frequent droughts and periodical hurricane occurrence. Environmental degradation from conventional agriculture combined with high levels of food imports further increase the vulnerability of food and farming systems on island-territories. Nonetheless, not all farming systems are equally vulnerable to extreme climate events. In the aftermath of natural disasters, research has shown that agroecological farms were more resistant and recovered faster than conventional systems. It is precisely what these differences confer that requires further research, and this holds the potential to benefit regions that are affected by hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons.

The aim of this proposal is to explore agroecological transition pathways that increase resistance to natural disasters for conventional and improve resilience of agroecological farms in a hurricane-prone Caribbean region. In collaboration with local farmer groups, researchers and public policy makers, the co-innovation participatory research will (a) describe current performance of a range of agroecological and conventional farming systems, (b) identify opportunities and limitations for resilience-building, and (c) explore alternative hurricane-resistant design options and policies that reduce vulnerabilities. The project fits squarely within CAWR’s Stabilisation Agriculture research programme and is relevant to CAWR’s Resilient Food and Water Systems research theme.

Funding

In addition to tuition fees and bursay for up to 3.5 years, there is additional an allowance.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

Entry requirements

• A Master’s degree in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum Merit level. In addition, the mark for the Masters dissertation (or equivalent) must be a minimum of 70%
  PLUS
• the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years
• An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English. The general requirement is a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four sections, or the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in each of the four sections.
• Proficiency in Spanish desirable.