The role of Maritime Spatial Planning in resolving demands for space on the island of Ireland: Competition, Conflict and Co-existence
School of Natural and Built Environment | PHD
Applications are now CLOSED
Funding
Funded
Reference Number
SNBE-2024-HR1
Application Deadline
31 January 2024
Start Date
1 March 2024
Overview
The Enabling Co-existence and Co-location in Shared Island Marine Governance (CoCoMar) Project is seeking a social science candidate for a PhD focused on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). CoCoMar aims to enable co-existence and co-location as mechanisms to deliver more integrated marine governance in the shared waters around the island of Ireland. Sectoral demands are increasing in marine spaces and are not without conflict. MSP is widely advocated as the preferred approach to planning and managing such interactions, but its implementation is still relatively new. Furthermore, academic assessments of MSP question whether the implementation of MSP will transform unsustainable marine governance and management practices and whether it substantially addresses conflict in the marine environment. The literature illustrates that the current trajectory of many MSP initiatives is to preserve the status quo and that they fail to adequately address longstanding marine governance issues. Increasing Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) is a pressing law and policy objective within the island of Ireland. Ireland’s electricity market operates on an all-island basis via the Integrated Single Electricity Market, and similarly aquaculture is being advanced in both jurisdictions, including the shared loughs. Both of these sectors will face the potential for conflict with each other but also with other marine sectors. The PhD will therefore examine the role of MSP in resolving demands for space on the island of Ireland. Specifically, it will critically examine the planning, consenting, and management regimes for the advancement of offshore renewable energy and aquaculture development to identify the issues preventing greater coordination between them and other sectors. The research will examine how co-existence can be managed and will seek views of actors and stakeholders concerned. It will take a broad definition of conflict and move beyond assessing competition for marine space and examine broader and competing discourses around the future of marine spaces.
The Enabling Co-existence and Co-location in Shared Island Marine Governance (CoCoMar) Project is a collaboration between University College Cork and Queen’s University Belfast, with scientific input from the Marine Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services team at the Marine Institute, Galway. CoCoMar aims to enable co-existence and co-location as mechanisms to deliver more integrated marine governance in the shared waters around the island of Ireland, informed by EU and UK policy ambitions relating to the four themes of (i) fisheries management post-Brexit; (ii) cross-compliance of policies for sectoral activities managed under Maritime Spatial Planning; (iii) expanding MPA networks; and (iv) delivering nature restoration.
Although MSP has the potential to reform existing marine management regimes, assessments of MSP in practice illustrate that it is failing to radically transform marine governance. There is evidence that MSP initiatives have neglected to: address issues such as the continuation of uncoordinated sectoral and fragmented management; adequately resolve sectoral conflicts, address the dominance of powerful sectors or fully understand trade-offs between sectoral objectives; fail to include non-economic and/or non-spatial uses, such as diverse stakeholder values and traditional and cultural uses of the sea; or foster meaningful social and governance changes. This indicates that the implementation of MSP may do little more than preserve the status quo and frustrate rather than facilitate the urgent reform of unsustainable marine management processes.
This PhD project will critically examine the planning, consenting, and management regimes for renewable energy and aquaculture to identify the issues preventing greater coordination between them and with other sectors. The review will focus on the potential legislative, governance and socio-economic issues that will positively and negatively impact ORE and aquaculture development. It will also investigate the broader discourse around the use of marine space across the island, including assessing how ORE and aquaculture development is viewed by coastal communities.
Research Proposal
i) Applicants should use the ‘Research Proposal’ section of their application form to provide a 1000-word maximum proposal (excluding references/bibliography) outlining:
* A brief theoretical framework that could inform the PhD project
* Additional research aims and objectives that could be used to narrow the scope of the proposed project
* The research methods that they would employ within the project
* An indicative bibliography/references.
Application Procedure
* Apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 'Planning' at Queen's University Belfast, School of Natural and Built Environment.
* State the name of the lead supervisor on the application form (Dr Heather Ritchie)
* State the intended SOURCE OF FUNDING on your application as 'Marine Institute’
* Include your Research Proposal (see above for research proposal guidance)
* To apply, visit https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php (link to the QUB Direct Application Portal)
Funding Information
This funded 3 year studentship is open to UK candidates. The value of an award includes the cost of approved fees as well as maintenance support (stipend). As an indicator, the level for 2023/2024 is currently £18,622.
Candidate should hold the minimum of a strong upper second class (2.1) honours social science degree, with an MSc/MA in Environmental Planning, Human Geography, Sociology or another cognate discipline, with experience in using qualitative methods.
Project Summary
Supervisor
Dr Heather Ritchie
Mode of Study
Full-time: 3 years
Funding Body
Marine Institute
Planning overview
The discipline of Planning is located in the School of Natural and Built Environment. In recent years the performance of the discipline has been quite exceptional in a range of surveys, e.g. National Student Survey, Times Higher Education Survey and Guardian League Table. Given this, Planning at Queen’s is very highly ranked within the UK's Russell Group Universities.
Our research programme is based on the concept of spatial planning and whilst our empirical work is partly grounded in the region, it is built on strong international, interdisciplinary and theoretical references. Our particular strength is the staff team who have built a track record in scholarly and applied research and a wide-ranging portfolio of publications, research grants and Doctoral studentships. Planning academics have built an international reputation and attracted a stream of major research funding linked to our main areas. We value the connection between our research and teaching programmes and the application of our empirical work in a learning environment, and continues to innovate and develop teaching programmes to reflect a rapidly changing market place, problem and policy context and changes in professional standards.
Mode of study / duration
Registration is on a full-time or part-time basis, under the direction of a supervisory team appointed by the University. You will be expected to submit your thesis at the end of three years of full-time registration for PhD, or two years for MPhil (or part-time equivalent).
Planning Highlights
Global Opportunities
- The discipline has an impressive track record in winning major UK and international funding from bodies including INNOVATE UK, RCUK, EU, GRCF in areas from core ‘science’ research to public engagements, training, capacity building and digital modelling.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Disciplines/Planning/
Student Experience
- Postgraduates form an intrinsic part of our research community and are actively involved in the School's cross-disciplinary Research Groups. Visit our School website and read about the exciting research projects being undertaken by our staff and by our PhD students.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Research/ - In addition to support from expert staff in Planning, the University’s flagship Graduate School provides postgraduate students with a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary hub to support their personal and professional development.
QUB’s Researcher Plus scheme provides PhD students with an opportunity to develop skills which are transferable beyond their research degrees, and the Researcher Plus award provides them with official recognition for the skills acquired in addition to their research.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/
Key Facts
Planning at Queen’s is ranked joint 3rd in the UK for Research Intensity (Complete University Guide, 2022)
- In terms of research performance, Queen’s is ranked 12th in the UK for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning (REF 2021/Times Higher Education).
Course content
Research Information
Associated Research
Staff in Planning have built a strong postgraduate group which is effectively integrated into our research projects, teaching and School activities. We offer dedicated support and mentoring within the School to complement training available from the wider University. Moreover, we have the staff expertise within Planning and our School to offer comprehensive support to postgraduate students across a range of projects in spatial planning.
Current projects involve a range of studies on contested spaces that build on our strong international research partnerships in North America, South Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The global challenge of development is also reflected in projects on climate change, marine spatial planning and urban design.
We encourage and support fieldwork in international settings and current students have conducted their empirical studies in Bangladesh, Australia and the USA.
Career Prospects
Introduction
Many of our PhD graduates have moved into academic and research roles in Higher Education while others go on to play leading roles in educational practice, the public sector or within NGO’s. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.
For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk.
Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.
People teaching you
Dr Cristian Silva
Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Philip Boland
Reader
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Richard Waldron
Lecturer
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Sara Ferguson
Research Fellow
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Urmi Sengupta
Reader
Natural and Built Environment
Dr Wesley Flannery
Reader
Natural and Built Environment
Professor Brendan Murtagh
Professor
Natural and Built Environment
Professor Geraint Ellis
Professor
Natural and Built Environment
Learning Outcomes
A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field.Undertaking a research degree also enhances a student’s written and oral communication skills, and a PhD is almost always a formal requirement for an academic post.
Course structure
You will carry out original research under the guidance of your supervisory team. There is no specific course content as such.This independent research is complemented by postgraduate skills training organised by Queen’s Graduate School, and other internal and external training courses organised through your supervisor.
You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed ‘differentiation’.
Differentiation takes place about 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.
To complete with a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of no more than 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.
A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.
The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy.
Full time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest.
The part time route is a suitable option for those unable to study for a PhD full time. This may be due to family commitments or those already in employment. On the former, studying part time for a PhD can be very accommodating in juggling different responsibilities. On the latter, part time candidates often choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.
If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff.
Application Process
Please review the eligibility criteria on the webpages. If you believe that you meet these criteria then follow the steps below:
Select ONE potential supervisor from our list of Academic Staff (https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/OurPeople/AcademicandResearchStaff/) and send an email containing:
a brief CV (1-2 pages maximum)
a concise statement that you are interested in studying for a PhD, stating when you would start, and how you would plan to fund the research
a brief statement of the research question or interest, and how you think the question could be investigated
Our academic staff welcome approaches from prospective students; staff can liaise with applicants to develop a research proposal of mutual interest. The potential supervisor should get back to you within a couple of weeks. They may invite you to meet with them or they may invite you to apply formally.
If you have difficulty identifying or contacting an appropriate supervisor, please contact Catherine Boone (email: pgr.snbe@qub.ac.uk) who will be happy to help.
For part-time study – the closing date for this option is 31st August each year.
For full-time study (self-funding) – for those full time candidates who do not wish to compete for a studentship or who are not eligible to compete for a studentship the closing date is 31st August each year.
For full-time study and application for a studentship/award; please be aware that awards are only available to full time students. Candidates wishing to apply for studentships available within the School must apply for full-time study at the same time. Available studentships and closing dates are detailed on the School's studentships web page: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Study/PostgraduateResearch/ResearchStudentships/
Assessment
Assessment processes for a research degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.
This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.
The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.
Feedback
Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.
Entrance requirements
Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.
International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Tuition Fees
| Northern Ireland (NI) 1 | TBC |
| Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 | TBC |
| England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 | TBC |
| EU Other 3 | £20,500 |
| International | £20,500 |
1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
More information on postgraduate tuition fees.
Planning costs
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
Additional course costs
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.
Bench fees
Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.
How do I fund my study?
1.PhD OpportunitiesFind PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.
2.Funded Doctoral Training ProgrammesWe offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.
3.PhD loansThe Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.
4.International ScholarshipsInformation on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.
Funding and Scholarships
The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.
How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.
You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.