Funded PhD Studentship: Carbon farming: co-creation for behavioural change within a supportive AKIS

Research Office

Funded PhD Studentship: Carbon farming: co-creation for behavioural change within a supportive AKIS

Director of Studies: Professor David Rose (Harper Adams, Agriculture and Environment Department), Dr Mohammad-Mohammadrezaei (Teagasc)

Second Supervisors: Dr Fiona Williams (Harper Adams), Dr Áine Macken-Walsh (Teagasc).

Start Date: October 2025

The successful applicant will be registered as a Harper Adams University Research student and will be expected to enroll each academic year. The studentship covers the current Home Student (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man & Channel Isles) tuition fees, plus a yearly stipend of 25,000 euros per year., or a figure equivalent to the standard UKRI PhD stipend (for 2025/6 this is confirmed as £20,780. With an expected small increase each academic year. 

Location: 

Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB (Year 1),

Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin  (Teagasc, Years 2/3)

Year 4; Including Writing Up of Thesis (Either)

Project.

Achieving a carbon neutral agriculture sector by 2050 is a key element of the national greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy in Ireland. The “farmer is at the heart of this transition” (Ag Climatise, 2020), as progress towards achieving climate objectives requires the uptake of carbon farming measures. Such measures implemented by farmers e.g., cover crops, min/no tillage, and planting trees, aim to sequester carbon. Despite efforts to improve knowledge exchange events around carbon farming to enhance uptake, which seem well attended, impactful use of certain mitigation measures is low.

Existing approaches in Ireland to knowledge exchange around carbon farming frame adoption decisions in terms of how mitigation measures benefit farmers (or otherwise) on an individual level and their corresponding willingness to adopt. They do not account for individual contexts and capabilities and that behavioural decisions are affected by social and cultural factors, as well as incentives and opportunities within the agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS). There is a gap in farmer action on carbon farming and, on the part of research, a weakness in understanding behavioural drivers. Whilst investigating behavioural drivers behind engagement and use is not new, few studies have applied comprehensive behavioural frameworks in the context of the AKIS. Recent papers have highlighted the importance of doing so, as well as moving towards an exploration of farmers’ capabilities, opportunities, and motivations. Using mixed methods involving farmers and Teagasc advisors, our aim is to expedite the meaningful and impactful use of carbon farming measures through a more nuanced understanding of farmer behaviour. The project will use behavioural frameworks that embed the individual farmer within the AKIS to explain reasons for non/use of carbon farming measures and to co-create interventions for enhanced use, considering the role for Teagasc, other AKIS actors (such as industry) and policy-makers.

We invite students to apply from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. These could include (but are not limited to) Agriculture (and Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics), Behavioural Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology. An interest in sustainable agriculture is important. The student will become a valued part of the Engaging for Change research group at Harper Adams University (led by Prof David Rose) and also the Agri-Food Business and Spatial Analysis (AFBSA) Department within Teagasc Rural Economy and Development Programme (REDP) and the Teagasc Climate Centre. Eligible students applying for a Scholarship must have a first or upper second-class honours primary degree, or the equivalent, degree. A Master’s degree may be considered to take precedence over the results of the primary degree

At Teagasc, the Agri-Food Business and Spatial Analysis department is recognised as a leading centre for research in social and behavioural sciences and spatial analysis. The department plays a crucial role in the Teagasc Climate Centre, with a mission to apply advanced social and behavioural science research approaches to explore and understand farm-level climate adaptation and mitigation behaviours. Ultimately, it seeks to support the development and implementation of tailored, evidence-based policies and knowledge exchange initiatives that promote behaviour change at the farm level. The Teagasc Climate Centre is a virtual centre that coordinates agricultural climate and biodiversity research and innovation across Teagasc. The Climate Centre embraces eight research pillars aligned with the Signpost Programme, focusing on knowledge transfer to increase the adoption of mitigation measures at the farm level. Its mission is to support and empower the Irish agriculture sector to meet its commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring biodiversity.

The PhD is funded by the Walsh Scholars Programme (Teagasc). This is Teagasc's postgraduate development programme, with some 140 students pursuing PhD programmes at any one time. A budget of €3.65 million per annum is committed to the programme. There are up to 35 new places each year with a grant of €31,000 per annum which includes flat rate stipend of €25,000 per annum. The programme is called Walsh Scholars, to commemorate the late Dr Tom Walsh, first Director of both the Agricultural Research Institute and the National Advisory and Training Service, which were merged to form Teagasc, and a prime mover in developing agricultural and food research in Ireland.

The objective of the Walsh Scholars Programme is to support the training and professional development of Scholars in association with Irish and international universities.

All aspects of agriculture, horticulture, food, agri-food economics, rural development and rural environment, as well as specific topics identified for priority funding each year.

Teagasc is committed to a co-ordinated professional development strategy for Scholars. The participating Scholar’s programme includes the development of discipline-specific knowledge, research skills and generic/transferable skills.

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