Funded PhD Studentship: Optimum strategies for UK beef producers to achieve net zero

Project Title:  Optimum strategies for UK beef producers to achieve net zero

Primary supervisor: Daniel May  

Co supervisors: Karl Behrendt and Jude Capper

Expected Start date and location

October 2025, based at Harper Adams University, Edgmond, Shropshire, UK.

Funding

The studentship covers the current Home Student (UK, Isle of Man & Channel Isles) tuition fees plus a yearly stipend. For 2025/6 this equates to £20, 780 per year, with potential increases each academic year in line with UKRI. 

International applicants would need to be able to fund the difference between home and overseas fees (£11, 382 for the 2025/6 academic year) with a proportion being paid in full before Visa documentation can be issued.

This project presents a great opportunity for someone with a passion for research in the environmental sustainability of UK beef production and farmers’ strategic behaviour. Candidates should have at least a 2:1 BSc (Hons) in economics, agricultural economics, business or data science, consideration will be given to candidates holding a 2.2 alongside a Master's degree at Merit, or potential for research based on alternative qualifications/experience judged acceptable by the University. The successful candidate will work on an exciting project as part of APB Foods UK’s PRISM 2030 project and join an enthusiastic research team located in a beautiful rural setting. This position is generously funded by ABP Foods UK’s PRISM 2030 project and the Perry Foundation.

Project description:

This project focuses on investigating beef producers’ incentives to adopt strategies aimed at achieving net zero (i.e. achieving emission levels close to zero). This involves analysing a range of drivers of farmer behaviour including economic, political, sociodemographic, and sociopsychological drivers, among others. Using the structural equation modelling approach, the student will identify what factors explain these incentives, information that will be used to propose ways to induce beef producers to adopt beneficial strategies to mitigate any negative effects from beef production on the environment. Building from this developed understanding, the student would then look to work with farmers and advisors to develop a decision support framework. This research will blend literature analysis, theoretical study, modelling and empirical analysis, contributing valuable insights into the world of farmers’ decision making and its significance for the future of our planet.

Closing Date: 16 May 2025

Department: Academic Staff & Research Degree Studentships

Salary: As per advert