Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)
Research information PhD/MPhil/EngD
PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time, MPhil: 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time, EngD: 4 years full-time
Research Proposal
Applicants are encouraged to provide a one page proposal describing the type of work that they wish to carry out for their PhD research. They should explain the motivation for the proposed work. This proposal should outline the research context, the main aim and objectives of the proposed research and some indication of the methodology to be used.
Research Opportunities
WEDC is involved in a wide variety of aspects of sustainable infrastructure focusing on sanitation and water in an international context. Some research is primarily concerned with technology, while other projects deal with sociological, economic and management factors. WEDC welcomes enquiries from those who wish to undertake one of our research programmes leading to the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Entry Qualification
Good degree or equivalent experience.
Departmental Support and Training for Research Students
All research students are provided with:
- desk and computer in a shared research student office, part of a new purpose-built building. WEDC also has a dedicated Resources Centre, IT/ photocopying facilities, and meeting spaces for students and staff
- supervisor(s) with expertise in the selected research area, and a Director of Research to provide additional guidance and pastoral support; research students can also consult any other departmental academic staff if appropriate for their research
All research students:
- have frequent and systematic supervision
- attend regular departmental research seminars attended by academic staff and research students
- must attend training courses throughout their PhD to support their research
- may help support undergraduate teaching through employment as tutorial/lab assistants
Consultancy Work
Our consultancy work is wholly concerned with low- and middle-income countries and is varied. In particular, we offer the following:
- policy and strategy development for governments and aid agencies
- project evaluation and investigations into specific problems
- preparation of study reports, manuals and other documents
- planning and provision of training for professional staff in the UK and overseas
- specialist inputs for consulting firms and international agencies
Studentships
Apply for the doctorate programme at WEDC and you may be eligible for a part or full-time research studentship (subject to the nomination, approval and availability of funds, and meeting eligibility criteria).
Contact
Professor M. Sohail
Director of Research and Enterprise, WEDC
Email: m.sohail@lboro.ac.uk
+44 (0)1509 222890
Some of our current research areas
Infrastructure services
- Environmental sanitation (including solid waste management)
- Water supply
- Water and sanitation for emergencies
- Water resources management
- Urban infrastructure services (including public transport)
Cross-cutting areas of expertise
- Policy review and analysis
- Sector reviews
- Management and institutional development
- Environment and health
- Enterprise development and innovation
- Knowledge management
- Response to the needs and demands of vulnerable groups
- Ethics in engineering/anticorruption
How to apply
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