From Climate Information to Climate Action: Evaluating How Climate Information Use Shapes Local Adaptation Decision Making in English Local Authorities and Opportunities for Improvement

Project Code: JENKINS_UEA_ARIES27

From Climate Information to Climate Action: Evaluating How Climate Information Use Shapes Local Adaptation Decision Making in English Local Authorities and Opportunities for Improvement

Project Code: JENKINS_UEA_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Katie Jenkins, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Science, University of East Anglia – contact me

Professor Irene Lorenzoni, School of Environmental Sciences, UEA

Dr Neha Mittal, Met Office

 

Scientific Background:

The Climate Change Committee’s Well Adapted UK report highlights a critical need for practical adaptation solutions to build a resilient UK by 2050. Although information and data to inform adaptation planning is increasingly available through national risk assessments and climate services, there is limited understanding of how such information is interpreted and used by Local Authorities (LAs), which have a central role in managing planning, infrastructure, estates management, public health, and community resilience to climate risks. This includes understanding how organisational roles, professional norms, and internal decision-making processes influence climate information use.

 

Research Methodology:

This project will examine how climate information, including hazard, risk and adaptation data, is currently interpreted and incorporated into local public-sector decision-making processes, and how it shapes organisational decision making on climate adaptation. Project findings will shape recommendations that will inform the next generation of climate service tools and enhance the uptake and useability of information by LAs.

Using a qualitative multi-method approach, the research will combine wider documentary analysis of LA adaptation strategies, risk registers, and planning documents with focused semi-structured interviews with staff involved in adaptation decision-making. Existing consultation survey data from leading national climate service providers will provide further contextual insights. The analysis will focus on i) how climate information is accessed and interpreted; ii) where and how this information enters adaptation decision processes; and iii) opportunities to enhance adaptation processes and outcomes. Engagement with the UK Met Office climate services team will support analysis, knowledge exchange and impact.

 

Training:

The student will undertake training in designing and conducting effective interviews, thematic coding, methods to synthesise insights from qualitative data and using software such as NVivo. As a member of the Tyndall Early Career Network they will benefit from an established research group, bespoke training (e.g. science-policy engagement), and opportunities via the Met Office to join user-focused webinars and engage with adaptation and climate experts.

 

Person Specification:

We seek a highly motivated individual with an understanding of climate science and/or adaptation policy in the UK; skills in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and synthesis; interest in engaging with adaptation decision-makers; and excellent written and verbal communication.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Environmental Science or a related discipline across the social sciences and science.

References

  • Jenkins, K., Ford, A., Robson, C. et al. (2022). Identifying adaptation on the ground, development of a UK adaptation inventory. Climate Risk Management, 36.
  • Jenkins, K., Nicholls, R. J., Sayers, P. B., Redhead, J., Price, J., He, Y., et al. (2026). Exploring the role of strategic place-based risk assessment as a framework to support system-based climate adaptation planning. Earth's Future, 14, e2025EF007417.
  • Mittal, N., Fung, F., McSweeney, C., Lowe J. A. (2025) Understanding needs for climate information and services in the UK. Climate Services
  • Dudley, H., Holmes, J., Jordan, A., & Lorenzoni, I. (2026). The policy impact of climate change advisory bodies: Government responses to the UK Climate Change Committee’s recommendations, 2009–2020. Climate Policy, 26(2), 239-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2025.2497881
  • Lorenzoni I and others (2026). ‘Putting people at the centre of UK climate adaptation and resilience’. Government Office for Science.' Available at: https:// www.gov.uk/government/publications/putting-people-at-the-centre-of-uk-climate-adaptation-and-resilience

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the University of East Anglia Application Portal