Application for DAERA Postgraduate Studentship 2025 - Section F: Eligibility: Research Need - NI Direct

Section F: Eligibility: Research Need

To be eligible for a DAERA Postgraduate Studentship, you must select ONE RESEARCH NEED (Q33) from ONE of the themes below that your research proposal addresses.

In delivering the Lough Neagh Action plan, DAERA particularly wants to encourage postgraduate applications which focus on nature-based solutions for Lough Neagh.

DAERA intends to fund a minimum of three Lough Neagh nature-based solution Studentships from the 2025 competition, meeting Action 34 of the Lough Neagh Action Plan (Research Need 4.1). Lough Neagh candidates will be ranked separately from other candidates and the top 3 ranked Lough Neagh candidates will be offered Studentships (subject to minimum standards being achieved at interview for selection criteria 1, 2 and 3 as outlined at 6.3 in the T&Cs). The Lough Neagh offers will be issued first and when 3 have been accepted, the ranking lists will be combined and the remaining PhD Studentships will be offered from the single ranking list.

THEME 1: Climate

THEME 2: Sustainable Agri-Food Systems

THEME 3: One Health

THEME 4: Natural Environment

THEME 5: Rural Affairs

33. 2025 DAERA Research Need

To be eligible for a DAERA Postgraduate Studentship, you must select ONE RESEARCH NEED from the list below that your research proposal addresses.

(Required) 1.1 Research to quantify the emissions of one or more of agricultural production system(s), land use management or nature based solutions to deliver net zero carbon commitments. 1.2 Research to consider how social sciences can help the transition to lower emissions farming systems and or more sustainable multifunctional land use. 1.3 Research to consider ways in which integrated policy strategies can be developed to achieve net zero emissions while addressing both environmental sustainability and public health benefits in the context of climate change. 1.4 Research into ways in which positive behavioural change can be encouraged towards achieving the targets within the NI Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. This could include indicators of behaviour change in NI in relation to Climate Change/climate adaptation. 1.5 The development of modelling and mapping tools to maximise opportunities for land management and nature-based solutions to deliver net zero and climate resilience commitments (including adaptation). 1.6 Monitoring and evaluation of ecosystem services to support the implementation of the Natural Capital approach in policy development, decision making and evaluation. 1.7 Research to consider how environmental economics can be used to evaluate the broader social considerations of sustainable development (e.g. Green Growth); including the relationships between: (i) habitat condition/extent and: (ii) ecosystem services and; (iii) natural capital or public goods; and (iv) any other relevant factors. 1.8 Research into the effectiveness of land / marine nature-based solutions relevant to: (i) climate change; (ii) adaptation; (iii) resilience; and (iv) water quality. Research could focus on one or more of these potential benefits, and their application in Northern Ireland. 1.9 Coastal sediment dynamics on the North Coast of Northern Ireland at decadal to centennial time scale. Research to investigate the adaptation of coastal environments to climate change and sea level rise. 1.10 Research to consider a climate change impact assessment for NI aquaculture and fishing industries. This could consider the potential risks and opportunities and take into consideration risk changes in relation to fish diseases. Options for decarbonising the Northern Ireland fishing fleet and aquaculture industry may also be considered. 1.11 Research of the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. This could consider: (i) spatial and/or temporal changes to spawning grounds; (ii) fish stock level changes; (iii) changes impacting on feeding opportunity. 2.1 Research to increase the productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability of agricultural production systems, through either: (i) resource use efficiency gained from genetic improvements; (ii) innovative approaches to livestock housing and management systems or; (iii) precision in nutrient inputs and their management. 2.2 Research to develop models to facilitate the technical, environmental and economic evaluation of agricultural systems. 2.3 Research to consider novel indicators of soil health, ecosystem health and environmental change. This could consider aspects of soil biodiversity and biogeochemistry. 2.4 Research to consider the optimal use of livestock phenotypic and/or genetic data and information in NI to increase the productivity, profitability and environmental sustainability of agricultural systems. 2.5 Research to underpin new agri-environment schemes development delivering key environmental outcomes for water quality, biodiversity and climate change. 2.6 Research to consider what future changes the NI agri-food industry needs to make to create a more integrated, efficient, sustainable, competitive and responsive supply chain. 2.7 Development of novel and innovative NI agri-food products and processes, including packaging and shelf-life extension techniques, to meet the existing or anticipated market needs. This could consider innovations related to one or more of: (i) biofortification; (ii) reformulation; (iii) data analytics in food supply chains. 2.8 Research to better understand consumer attitudes and buying behaviours towards local or regional food produce and brands, and the role of the short supply chain or new and emerging platforms and networks (such as digital, farmer markets etc.) in promoting local/regional foods consumption. 2.9 Research to consider sustainable food systems approaches in a NI context, taking into account relationships between diet, health and the environment, and assessing the impacts of economic pressures on dietary choices. 2.10 Research to better understand the benefits of regenerative farming practices. This may consider: (i) behavioural sciences to underpin needs and development of strategies to implement these practices on livestock farms; (ii) key indicators to monitor their effectiveness to support livestock production and other ecosystem services such as biodiversity; and (iii) potential application in NI. 2.11 Research to investigate the design of agricultural systems in Northern Ireland, employing architectural design and research methodologies as a way of better understanding and informing the current and future spatialisation and built form of the agri-industry in the region. 2.12 Research to consider design approaches to developing sustainable agri-Infrastructure to enhance environmental resilience and productivity. 3.1 Research to investigate vector borne diseases, including the epidemiology of diseases carried by invertebrate vectors. 3.2 Research into the factors influencing livestock welfare, including the interactions with one or more of: (i) chronic or acute diseases and disorders; (ii) drug therapy medication; (iii) nutrition; (iv) immune system performance or (v) microbiome; or (vi) production systems. This includes research into novel solutions to improve livestock welfare, or current practices where new welfare policy might be required. 3.3 Research to investigate the interactions between the use of antimicrobials in animals and the environment, including the occurrence of antimicrobials or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in one or more of: (i) air; (ii) land; (iii) fauna or; (iv) water. 3.4 Research to consider wild animals as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), parasites and disease for livestock, domestic animals and humans. 3.5 Research into endemic and emerging viral pathogen genomics to improve the health of livestock and wildlife through investigating patterns of detection and spread with a one-health perspective. 3.6 Research to investigate ways to change behaviours in relation to antimicrobials usage among a range of stakeholder groups including public (link to human health), vets in different sectors , pet owners, equine owners, farmers. 3.7 Social science research into farmer behaviour and potential other barriers to good biosecurity on farms. 3.8 Research to consider the economic and social impacts of animal disease. 3.9 Research to investigate risks and concerns relating to dog breeding and establish good welfare practice to inform legal standards as well as how these standards could be implemented and enforced. 3.10 Research to evaluate Northern Ireland’s plant and plant product pathways, including identifying and outlining approaches to improve plant biosecurity. 3.11 Research to consider the strategies and policies required to maximise the delivery of ecosystem services through sustainable forest management of existing forests and forest expansion in a changing climate. 3.12 Research to investigate the epidemiology and pathology of key plant health risk in Northern Ireland, including potential vectors of disease. 3.13 Research to determine the impact of plant health on the wider Northern Ireland environment, identifying the opportunities for an integrated approach to deliver improved outcomes for agriculture, environment and climate change. 4.1 Research to investigate nature based solutions for Lough Neagh. This could consider : (i) behavioural changes to increase adoption, (ii) manipulation of big data using innovative techniques; (iii) integration of existing data sets; (iv) environmental modelling studies to underpin ecological improvements; (v) data analytics; (vi) ecological impact of river restoration/habitat improvement; or (vii) social and economic barriers. 4.2 Research to assess streambed siltation in Northern Ireland headwaters and its impacts on biodiversity in streams. 4.3 Research to better understand the application of nature recovery networks approaches to terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine habitat restoration and improving resilience. 4.4 Research to consider the changing biology and development of eel populations in NI lake systems (Lough Neagh and Lough Erne). 4.5 Research to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of bio-refining methods to extract recyclable materials, or to develop new products, from agricultural, forestry or marine wastes; including the use of the materials produced in the bio-economy industries. 4.6 Research on the effectiveness of management measures for fishing in marine protected areas. This could include research on measures to reduce the bycatch of protected species, including marine mammals and seabirds, or the development of the marine natural capital approach and associated models and decision support tools. 4.7 Research into the social and economic barriers to: facing coastal and marine habitat restoration, and incentives to overcome these. 4.8 Research to understand the social and economic factors affecting peatland management or restoration. 4.9 Research to investigate: (i) the factors affecting peatland condition, biodiversity, peat accumulation and carbon storage or; (ii) development of metrics to reflect carbon storage and sequestration or; (iii) examination of the suitability of different restoration methods for different settings, peatland types and degrees of degradation. 4.10 Research to better understand changes in native fauna species over time. This could focus on threatened or near-threatened species and consider aspects such as distribution and abundance, conservation biology, and threats from non-native species. 4.11 Research to consider landowner perception of designated sites/protected areas and their role in delivering biodiversity objectives, potentially considering biodiversity gains and public health benefits. 4.12 Research to consider novel ways in which the wasteful use of resources can be reduced through greater efficiency and an increasingly diverse and circular economy. 5.1 Research to consider the nature and range of disabilities, health conditions and/or other socio-economic factors within agriculture and rural families, including their links to low income. 5.2 Research to assess the role and contribution of farmers to rural society (e.g. farmer leadership and participation in local community and voluntary groups, provision of in-kind goods and services to the community). This could consider the socio-economic benefits of, and public goods arising from, farms and agri-businesses in NI. 5.3 Research to gain better insights to women’s experiences of working in the primary agriculture industry and ancillary sectors and how they can be better supported. This could include attitudes towards women becoming head of holding on NI farms. 5.4 Research to assess the mental health levels among NI farmers and the mental health services required to meet their needs. 5.5 Research to consider the impact of tourism on rural communities and how rural tourism can be developed in an environmentally sustainable manner which benefits local communities, helps conserve and protect the cultural and natural heritage and supports green growth. 5.6 A study to consider the rural community sector, including identifying the contribution it makes in terms of improving the health and social well-being of people in rural areas. 5.7 Research to consider attitudes towards generational renewal and succession on NI farms. This could include: the process of succession, retirement planning, barriers faced, opportunities, and ways to support young farmers and new entrants. 5.8 Research to investigate the design of agricultural systems in Northern Ireland, employing architectural design and research methodologies as a way of better understanding and informing the current and future spatialisation and built form of the agri-industry in the region. 5.9 Research to understand how best to affect behavioural changes affecting safety within the farming sector. 5.10 Research to consider design approaches to developing sustainable agri-Infrastructure to enhance environmental resilience and productivity.