Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) is part of a cross discipline centre for research into
design for zero carbon. BIAD has two foci:
- One focus is on
retrofit of energy saving technologies in existing building stock, modeling of energy in buildings, and the application of complexity theory.
- The other focus is on
consumer behaviour change for a carbon neutral future, especially through advertising creating the right kinds of desire.
---
PhD Studentship in Retro-fit
We are offering a PhD studentship in design for zero carbon. This is linked to specific interests in building design, specifically in retro-fit of energy saving technologies, and work with gaining knowledge of a carbon negative house in Birmingham. This studentship is placed in the Birmingham School of Architecture. We welcome enquiries from a wide range of candidates from design, engineering, and architecture. Informal enquiries are welcomed in advance of a formal application.
Although all new UK buildings will need to be zero carbon by 2019, the majority of carbon emissions and environmental impact comes from existing buildings. Birmingham School of Architecture at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design are involved in a unique research project on zero carbon retrofit of buildings. We are developing methods and tools through experimental research, including monitoring and post occupancy evaluation of a zero carbon retrofit house. The work has a potential for a significant impact on UK carbon emissions and the UK economy.
We are seeking suitably qualified and enthusiastic PhD candidates to pursue research within our Low Carbon Retrofit programme, running within our Centre for Low Carbon Research. Successful applicant will have an opportunity to join this research programme at the forefront of the current state of the art and influence its future development.
Candidates should hold a good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline and be committed to studying for a PhD. Experience of sustainable building design, building performance monitoring or building simulation would be an advantage.
A successful applicant for a Research Bursary will receive a tax-free living allowance of
GBP13,590 per year (paid monthly) and a fee-waiver for full-time student PhD enrolment, for three years subject to satisfactory performance being maintained.
For further information about BIAD Research please see
http://www.biad.bcu.ac.uk/research/site/pages/home.php
and for further details about this studentship please see
http://www.biad.bcu.ac.uk/research/site/pages/clcr.php
The closing date for applications is close of business on 10 June 2011. Interviews will be held on 27 June.
Informal enquiries to:
Dr Lubo Jankovic - lubo.jankovic@bcu.ac.uk
---
PhD studentships in design for sustainable desires
There may be up to two further PhD studentships which are just announced EITHER in retro-fit (as above) OR in creating desires (below).
Sustainable design is often seen only as a technological fix, but whatever the technologies involved, designers create desires both through the creation of products and services and through their branding and promotion. Our interests centre around ways in which present consumer behaviours may be turned toward more sustainable futures. This is an area of great cultural complexity, and may include designers from any relevant design subject specialism (such as visual communications, advertising, animation, industrial design, furniture, fashion, interiors, retail design, and landscape/architecture) but also from any other discipline that can contribute to understanding behaviour change in the context of design at all levels from design practice to international policy making.
Informal enquiries are welcomed.
The closing date for applications is close of business on 10 June 2011. Interviews will be held on 27 June.
Informal enquiries to:
Professor David Durling - david.durling@bcu.ac.uk
---
BIAD
Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) is a mature and well-founded academic environment. With a distinctive 125-year history in the field of Art, Design and Architecture, BIAD has a reputation for excellence, and its research is recognised as world-leading.
BIAD had considerable success in the RAE2008. A 30|30|20|20 score in UoA63 placed the faculty among the top twelve art and design institutions in the UK. Notably, the research environment was flagged as 4*
It is one of the largest doctoral communities in art and design in the UK, with a long and successful record of doctoral completions, and a number of supervisors engaged in leading design initiatives and policy making internationally.
Research in the Faculty covers a wide range of subject interests, including in recent years, interdisciplinary research with other faculties in the University. For example, the Well-being initiative, developed jointly with the Faculty of Health, has attracted much interest and is generating innovative research. In addition there is a research cluster based around Low Carbon Design, which also involves colleagues from the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment. There are several other research clusters that are either well established or emerging.
![]()
