PhD Position in Sustainable Rural-Urban (RUrban) Futures

Transforming the ways in which cities and the countryside are interconnected is critical to improving societal and ecological sustainability. These so called 'rurban' (rural-urban), interconnections, such as resource and material flows, human-nature relationships, spatial patterning, and the overarching modes of production and consumption drive ecological and social crises around the world. Racing against time, policymakers tend to embrace generic visions of urbanization (like ‘smart’ or ‘green’ cities) and technological solutions that often pay little attention to local contexts and underlying dimensions. To counter what has been called a “crisis of the imagination”, new social imaginaries are needed that are able to inform alternative worldviews and support appropriate institutions, policies, and technologies. This PhD project will work at the diverse interfaces between the ‘rural’ and the ‘urban’ to explore and (re-)imagine rurban interconnections, everyday practices, and desirable future pathways.

Key Objectives

1. Develop a conceptual and methodological rurban lens that can analyse and animate societal transformation
2. Examine and catalyze imaginative processes of knowledge co-production through prototyping spatial and technological interventions
3. Define and assess the impact of creative methods and tools to stimulate engagement, imagination, and action (e.g. shifts in everyday practices and policies)

This PhD position will also be affiliated with the RUrban Futures Collective, of the Department of Technology, Policy, and Society, at the University of Twente. This collective takes a critical approach to sustainability transformations in the context of rural-urban interactions. As a PhD student in the TPS department, you will collaborate with a team of supervisors including Dr. Corelia Baibarac Duigan, Dr. Steven McGreevy and Prof. Esther Turnhout. You will work in a vibrant environment with diverse research projects and opportunities for collaboration and exchange.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic researcher who:

• has or will shortly acquire, a Master’s degree or equivalent (e.g. practice experience and portfolio) in a relevant social science field (for example, geography, science and technology studies, sociology, anthropology, interdisciplinary environmental studies, or sustainability studies), and/or design (for example, architecture, urban design or social design);
• has a demonstrated interest in inter- and trans-disciplinary research and is driven by the desire to impact society;
• works well in an international team and enjoys collaboration;
• is able to pursue independent research and has the willingness to develop writing and publication skills, both academic and adapted to wider and diverse audiences;
• has good communication skills, fluency in English and, preferably, a good command of Dutch (spoken in particular);

The following qualifications would be desired, but are not required:

• Experience with foresight methods such as visioning and back casting;
• Experience with environmental decision-making within academia, government, or civil society;

Experience with participatory, transdisciplinary and/or art and design based research methods, such as action research, workshop design and facilitation, and working closely with society.

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

• Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 in the fourth year;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;
• A training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);

A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

At the Department of Technology, Policy and Society (TPS), we engage in research and education on the interplay between technology, society and policy, helping society to manage the opportunities and tensions between (new) technologies and changing needs.

The TPS department is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive working culture. Our aim is that all job applicants are given equal opportunities, When we select candidates for employment, it will be on the basis of their competence and ability. To support the workforce diversity, we are open to offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, that may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.