PhD: Mainstreaming nature-based solutions through co-creation

Are you interested in transdisciplinary research for nature-based solutions and its potential to enable more just and sustainable regions?

Your job
We seek a Ph.D. researcher to theoretically and empirically develop, apply and evaluate, novel approaches to co-creation by including emotions and values and employing digital technologies (such as XR) with rural communities for fostering climate resilience with nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions are climate adaptation solutions for dealing with climate pressures, biodiversity loss, and regenerating people-nature connections. Recently, there has been much research about the benefits and outcomes of co-creation and co-design processes for nature-based solutions and the importance of engaging with a multitude of actors to ensure just processes and outcomes. Many of the good practices of co-creation take a rationality approach with limited conceptual and empirical examination and engagement about the role that emotions and values of people (as also conceptualized by the IPBES Values Assessment) play in empowering or disempowering citizens. Therefore, more research is needed in how to account for emotions and values of people about nature and place in co-creation processes by designing methods of co-creation differently. This is the main research aim of this PhD research.

Specifically, this project focuses on key research frontiers: how co-creation can facilitate transformations in ways of thinking, doing and relating with nature/nature-based solutions in rural areas when considering emotions and values? How can digital technologies facilitate co-creation with rural communities and enable the implementation and mainstreaming of nature-based solutions in such a way that they contribute to more just and sustainable regions? The digital technology applications (XR) will be provided by another research institute in collaboration with the research team of Utrecht University and its development is outside the scope of this PhD research. How it will be employed as part of the novel co-creation methodology is within the scope of the PhD research.

This PhD researcher will deepen these themes empirically and theoretically, generating actionable knowledge for inclusive governance of nature-based solutions while building strongly from action research in four real-life case studies in Greece, Cyprus, Finland and the United Kingdom. Alongside research, the Ph.D. is expected to contribute to the European project “NURISH” (see below) for one day per week. Join us in this exciting research opportunity to help shape the future of rural and regional resilience.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (Essential):

• A Master in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Geography, Political Science, Policy Studies, Sustainability Science, or related specialisations;
• Excellent research skills and ethical research practices, including the ability to gather, analyse, and interpret qualitative data;
• Experience in conducting and analysing structured and semi-structured interviews, large and small workshops, focus groups, and participatory research activities;
• Excellent command of the English language (in both written and oral form);
• Command of one or more of the following languages: Greek or Finnish;
• Ability to work both independently and in a team;
• Good time management skills to be able to balance between the PhD and the research project demands;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (Desirable):

• Familiarity with transdisciplinary research, participatory research, and climate adaptation/resilience;
• Willingness to acquire new skills as required for the required study of the PhD project;
• Experience in publishing, as lead author, at least one paper in a conference or a peer-reviewed journal;
• Knowledge of European environmental policies.

This PhD project will be based at the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning and it will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Niki Frantzeskaki, Assistant Prof. Dr. Katharina Hölscher and Assistant Prof. Martijn Kuller.

We offer:

• temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period.
• a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning investigates sustainability challenges in the context of an ongoing worldwide trend of increasing urbanization. The Department’s ‘Urban Futures’ research program focuses on the enhancement of long-term economic developments of cities, the inclusion and social inequalities in relation to transnational mobilities, the health outcomes of urban living as well as on the governance and planning of sustainability transformations of cities and urban regions. It develops novel theoretical and empirical approaches that are not solely at the forefront of academic debates but that also create new perspectives on successful policies and interventions to address urban challenges.

The NURISH Research Project
Rural areas offer new opportunities in the NB economy and digital technology spheres, contributing to climate resilience through innovations in farming, tourism, culture, and services. Resilience in rural areas relies more on community capital than economic capital, emphasizing the need for local engagement and cross-sector collaboration. Recognising the drivers and pressures challenging future resilience in rural and small urban communities, NURISH will support the implementation of the EU’s long-term Vision for Rural Areas towards stronger, connected, resilient, and prosperous rural areas up to 2040, aiming to empower rural communities to tackle climate challenges, prioritize NBS as a means to adapt to CC and build nature-positive local economies, and enhance their digital skills. The communities involved in NURISH will participate in and actively promote the EU Rural Pact, by (1) highlighting rural perspectives and elevating their prominence on political agendas, (2) facilitating networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange through community-to-community learning and (3) establishing voluntary pledges to advance the vision, based on regenerative practices for nature restoration and conservation, and NB innovation and economy. NURISH will encourage collaborative approaches between regions and the sharing of best practices to build resilience against climate impacts, highlighting the prospects of NBS, and the active engagement of communities in addressing climate risks based on data and evidence, therefore supporting the implementation of the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy for 2030 and the EU Mission on Climate Adaptation. By encouraging the co-creation of systemic, scalable solutions for climate adaptation, particularly in vulnerable and remote contexts, NURISH will establish cycles of knowledge and resources flows, and empower rural communities towards community-led climate adaptation and resilience, circular economy, and NB economy in rural areas. NURISH will facilitate the achievement of the European Green Deal goals towards a climate-neutral and resilient Europe by 2050, through building Regenerative Rural Resilience (RRR).

For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Niki Frantzeskaki via n.frantzeskaki@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.