Global Methane Politics

Two fully-funded PhD scholarships are available in the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds, starting October 1, 2026. These scholarships are part of the Global Methane Politics project (METH-POL), a five-year European Research Council-funded project exploring the political dynamics and challenges of methane emissions and reduction efforts. One scholarship covers international fees plus maintenance matching UKRI rates, while the other covers full home fees plus maintenance. The two PhD positions focus respectively on the politics of coal methane and the politics of wastewater methane. Both positions involve extensive international fieldwork fully covered by project funds. The coal methane project will involve primary research in Germany and Indonesia, while the wastewater methane project will involve research in Uganda and Indonesia. Successful candidates will be embedded in a dynamic interdisciplinary team and will play key roles in designing and delivering the METH-POL project. The project adopts a broadly political ecology theoretical approach and involves research across five major methane-emitting sectors at scales ranging from international policy arenas to individual mines, farms, and treatment plants. Candidates will have opportunities to lead project elements, attend national and international conferences, co-author publications, and engage with policymaker and practitioner communities. They will join the School's large Climate Politics Group and the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures. The scholarships are for 3.5 years and include maintenance stipends matching UKRI rates (£20,780 in 2025/26), subject to satisfactory progress. Successful candidates will have a strong interest in climate and environmental politics, likely having studied Politics, International Relations, Geography, Environmental Studies or a cognate social science discipline at undergraduate and/or masters level.