Commencing in 2023, two scholarships for PhDs within the School of Anthropology and Conservation at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) have been shortlisted for funding. The projects are as follows:
Prioritising the recovery of artisanal gold mines using remote sensing – Dr Jake Bicknell
Using remote sensing datasets (Sentinel and Landsat) the research will work on a machine learning framework to automate the detection of artisanal gold mines. The initial geographic focus will be Guyana and Suriname, eventually expanding to West Africa and beyond. This will involve software such as R, GIS, Python, and Google Earth Engine. The student will work closely with our partners in Germany and Guyana to develop the framework.
Candidates should apply by 23:59 GMT on 17th February 2023 using the online form here.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview taking place the week commencing 6 March 2023.
UK wilding for nature recovery: investigating the role of large herbivores – Prof Bob Smith
This project will primarily focus on Kent, as well as using national and European-level evidence to explore the role of current and potential role of large herbivores in (re)wilding projects. The student will be encouraged to develop their own research agenda, which could incorporate: (1) undertaking a systematic review and/or fieldwork to investigate the impacts of different species of large herbivore in (re)wilding projects; (2) using Q-methodology to explore stakeholder perspectives; (3) using the Kent systematic conservation planning system to identify the locations and extent of current and potential (re)wilding projects, and; (4) assessing the economic costs and/or initial ecological benefits of using different large herbivore populations.
Candidates should apply by 23:59 GMT on 17th February 2023 using the online application form.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview taking place the week commencing 6 March 2023.
To read more about these exciting PhD opportunities, press the links above and apply using the relevant application form. If you have any questions, please reach out to the lead supervisor or HSS Admissions at HSSAdmissions@kent.ac.uk