Fully Funded PhD on Environmental Change Agents in Hybrid and Remote Work Environments (UK) – Apply Now.
Researchers interested in sustainability, organizational change, and the future of work now have the opportunity to apply for a fully funded PhD studentship titled “Environmental Change Agents in Hybrid and Remote Work Environments.” The project will be hosted by Norwich Business School at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and is affiliated with the ESRC Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST).
This interdisciplinary research opportunity will explore how digital workplaces influence coalition building and the spread of sustainability culture within organizations. As hybrid and remote working models become increasingly common, the project aims to examine how individuals within organizations can act as effective “change agents” to promote sustainable practices and behavioural transformation.
The funded PhD is expected to begin in October 2026 and offers financial support alongside the chance to collaborate with leading researchers studying climate change, social transformation, and workplace innovation.
Understanding the Research Focus.
Organizations play a crucial role in achieving global climate goals, yet turning sustainability commitments into everyday workplace practices remains a significant challenge. Many companies have adopted sustainability frameworks and environmental pledges, but implementing these policies effectively often requires cultural and behavioural change within the organization.
This doctoral project seeks to understand how individuals inside organizations—referred to as environmental change agents can help translate sustainability goals into meaningful workplace actions. The research will examine the internal and external factors that shape pro-environmental behavior among employees, as well as the strategies individuals use to encourage colleagues and stakeholders to support sustainability initiatives.
A particular focus of the project is how digital tools and hybrid work environments affect collaboration and coalition building around sustainability efforts. With more organizations adopting flexible work arrangements, digital workplaces are becoming key spaces for communication, teamwork, and cultural development. Research suggests that hybrid work environments rely heavily on digital ecosystems that enable remote collaboration, task management, and communication across locations.
The PhD will explore whether technologies such as digital platforms, green applications, or AI-enabled tools can help or hinder sustainability initiatives inside organizations.
Why This Opportunity Matters
As organizations increasingly adopt hybrid work models, understanding how workplace culture evolves in digital environments has become an important research area. Hybrid work arrangements blend remote and office-based work, creating new opportunities for collaboration but also raising questions about communication, organizational culture, and sustainability practices.
By examining how sustainability initiatives spread within digital workplaces, this PhD project aims to generate insights that can help organizations build stronger environmental cultures and accelerate climate action.
The research will contribute not only to academic knowledge but also to practical solutions that organizations can implement to support sustainable workplace transformation.
Research Methods and Academic Environment.
The PhD project will combine a variety of research methods, allowing the candidate to develop strong analytical and methodological skills. The research may include:
- Literature reviews and desk research
- Qualitative interviews with employees and organizational stakeholders
- Survey-based data collection
- Comparative case studies across organizations
Students will also have access to existing research data examining how employees interpret and respond to sustainability practices within their organizations.
The project is part of the CAST research program, an international initiative dedicated to understanding and accelerating social transformations related to climate change.
CAST’s work focuses on difficult behavioural challenges associated with areas such as food systems, transportation, and energy consumption.
Through this affiliation, the successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary network of researchers studying how societies transition toward more sustainable systems.
Funding and Benefits.
This opportunity is offered as a fully funded three-year ESRC CAST PhD studentship. The funding package includes:
- Home tuition fees covered
- A tax-free annual stipend of £21,805 for the 2026–2027 academic year
- Access to research resources and academic supervision at the University of East Anglia
The position is based in Norwich, United Kingdom, within the Norwich Business School research community.
Eligibility Requirements.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- A first-class or upper second-class undergraduate degree (2:1 or equivalent) in fields such as Business, Management, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, or environmental social sciences
- A Master’s degree in a relevant subject area
- Demonstrated interest in topics such as the sociology of work, the future of work, human resource management, or environmental sustainability
- Experience in independent research methods such as interviews, surveys, or case studies
- Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams
Candidates who are passionate about sustainability and interested in the intersection between environmental change and workplace culture are particularly encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline
- Application Deadline: April 20, 2026
How to Apply.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the full project description and application requirements before submitting their materials.
You can find these on the Find a PhD website.
