Worldwide hunt for nature-focused researchers
Fully funded PhD opportunities in nature-positive research
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has launched an international search for ten PhD researchers to contribute to work on building a more nature-positive economy.
The fully funded doctoral positions form part of New Zealand’s first Nature Positive Hub. The Hub will explore how organisations, markets and governments can redesign systems and ways of working to restore biodiversity, regenerate ecosystems, and support long-term social and economic wellbeing.
The research programme covers a range of topics likely to be of interest to RMLA members, including:
regenerative forestry
the future of fisheries management
biodiversity markets
corporate governance
rights of nature
regional environmental restoration
communication and public support for environmental action
the concept of nature as shared sovereign wealth in Aotearoa New Zealand
One of the projects, supervised by Dr Billie Lythberg of the University of Auckland Business School, will examine why some large-scale environmental restoration initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand have endured while others have struggled.
The project will consider the relationships, governance arrangements and long-term commitments that support successful restoration initiatives, with the aim of informing future regional restoration efforts in New Zealand and internationally.
Dr Lythberg says environmental challenges are systems challenges, requiring researchers to look beyond individual projects and examine the relationships, governance and practices that sustain nature-positive initiatives over time.
For RMLA members working across environmental law, policy, planning, governance, biodiversity, natural-resource management and ecological restoration, these opportunities may be of particular professional and academic interest. Members are also encouraged to share the positions with colleagues, students and others who may be considering doctoral research in these areas.
Further information
More information about the Nature Positive Hub and the available PhD projects is available through Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
Project contact:
Dr Billie Lythberg. Email: b.lythberg@auckland.ac.nz