ESRC Grant-Linked Studentship
Consumer Data Analytics – Ethical Consumption/Shopping
The University of Leeds is seeking a talented and highly motivated doctoral researcher to join the Consumer Data Research Centre (CDRC) which was established in 2014 with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) Big Data Network. The CDRC is part of the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA), which has been established with more than £20 million of funding from the University and four major research councils (including the ESRC). As part of this initiative we are offering one ESRC funded studentship within Leeds University Business School.
Though the clear majority of consumers prioritise conventional product features (e.g., tangible product attributes and pricing), they are increasingly susceptible to ethical/sustainability (e.g., social and eco-friendly) cues and appeals. There is reason to believe that while a large number of consumers purport to be motivated to consume ethically, the number consistently acting on such motives is much fewer. This doctoral study is to focus on ethical consumption/shopping. Supervised by Professors Matthew Robson, Wandi Bruin de Bruine, and/or Timothy Devinney, the study is interested in when, how, and why consumers engage in ethical/sustainable consumption; which refers to conscious and deliberate decisions to make certain consumption choices due to moral and personal beliefs. Using high quality behavioural data provided by corporate research partners, we hope to comprehensively address the above matter. The study might also seek to combine data from different sources, as ethical sensitivity is subject to a complex set of drivers. For instance, the project could address ethical consumption/shopping behaviour by combining financial data, weather data, and mobile phone data to explain variations in consumption motivations reflected in their ethical shopping behaviours.
Applications are welcomed from any social science (or related) discipline, although candidates for three year studentships (+3) must have already achieved the required level of research training (usually by the attainment of a Masters) and should have strong analytic skills from a numerate background.
Candidates for four year studentships (1+3) are also invited from social science disciplines and will be required to complete a one year (funded) masters' programme (preferably in either Business Analytics or Geographical Information Systems) in advance of their PhD study.
The studentships must commence on 1st October 2015.
Queries on the project can be sent to Prof Matthew Robson at M.J.Robson@lubs.leeds.ac.uk.
This studentship is open to UK/EU fee rated applicants.
Value of award: UK applicants will be eligible for a full award paying tuition fees and maintenance. European Union applicants will be eligible for an award paying tuition fees only, except in exceptional circumstances, or where residency has been established for more than 3 years prior to the start of the course. Additional funding may be forthcoming for exceptional candidates.