Environment and Sustainability

From investigating people’s attitudes to the environment to exploring the opportunities for solar power mini-grids in sub-Saharan Africa, the researchers in the Environment and Sustainability programme of the University of Surrey are taking innovative approaches for a more prosperous, equitable, safe and secure future.

The Environment and Sustainability PhD programme offered at Surrey equips you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to become a leader in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices in various sectors.

Career opportunities

The University of Surrey has been leading the way in environment and sustainability research for more than 25 years.It normally takes three or four years of full-time study to complete the Environment and Sustainability PhD programme, or about twice as long for part-time study. By the end of your programme, you’ll be an independent researcher with expert knowledge on the technical, economic, social and policy aspects of environment and sustainability.You’ll have the opportunity to work across the full breadth and depth of theoretical and applied approaches to sustainability. Many of Surrey postgraduate researchers are working on projects with local and multi-national businesses, policymakers, and international bodies, such as the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the World Health Organization.You’ll be assigned at least two supervisors, who will guide you through your PhD. In addition, you’ll attend a small number of mandatory training courses to ensure you have exposure to the rich diversity of research and data gathering methodologies, and to understand how to apply data analysis techniques. As part of this, you’ll also co-design an individual researcher development programme with your supervisor. This will include several relevant masters-level taught modules in CES or other departments (covering both research skills and subject-based material), as well as training in research budgeting, seminar and conference presentation skills, and research publishing.

Research themes

• Sustainable development policies and practices

• Energy, water, food nexus

• Behaviour change

• Waste systems

• Sustainable transportation

• Built environment