New PhD centres support environmental sustainability studies

Up to 190 new funded PhD places will be available at Reading thanks to a series of new doctoral training centres, announced today (Wednesday, 13 November).

The new centres led by the University of Reading reinforce existing funded programmes for PhD students and build on Reading’s strengths in sustainability and environmental sciences, in areas such as maths, meteorology, computer science, ecology, food science and bioscience.

The 190 new places at Reading over the next five years are in addition to those hosted at partner institutions. They are part of a major new £500m government investment in doctoral research announced today by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Find out more: Major centre for doctoral training.

Professor Parveen Yaqoob, University of Reading Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, said: “Reading is already a major centre of research and training to tackle the environmental science and sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.

“This announcement marks a significant investment in doctoral training that will deliver the next generation of talented researchers.”

The new centres, run in partnership with other universities, research organisations and businesses, include:

Training a new generation of environmental scientists to become interdisciplinary experts with strong quantitative skills, creative thinkers, and leaders in sustainability and inclusivity. Led by Reading, with Swansea University, the British Geological Survey, the Institute of Zoology, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Natural History Museum, the National Oceanography Centre and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

Developing bioscientists with knowledge and technical expertise of food systems and biological processes across the agri-food system, to transform the food value chain and address sustainability challenges. Led by Reading, with Cranfield University, Aberystwyth University, Queens University Belfast, University of Surrey, Brunel University London and the University of Lincoln.

The AI for Unlocking Datasets for Biodiversity Assessment and Prediction (AI-INTERVENE) Doctoral Focal Award will train a new generation of AI-empowered data scientists with the required AI and data science tools, ecological knowledge and wider interdisciplinary skills to make use of new and existing biodiversity data. The core partners are University of Reading, University College London, Natural History Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Zoological Society of London.

The new centres will join existing doctoral training centres at Reading, Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction Doctoral Training Programme and EPSRC Mathematics for our Future Climate Centre for Doctoral Training, which also have new funded PhD places available, making up to 190 in total over the next five years.

Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “Backing the next generation of great scientific minds to fulfil their potential is crucial to unlocking the discoveries which improve our lives and which keep our economy growing over the long term through highly skilled jobs.”

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: "UKRI’s investments in Doctoral Training are pivotal for the UK’s research and innovation endeavour. The awards provide funding for Universities across the UK to nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to pursue the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.”

More details available via the Partnering for the Planet website: Major centre for doctoral training.