The King’s College London is now accepting applications for a fully funded PhD studentship under the African Leadership Centre focused on justice, governance, and energy transitions in the context of critical minerals extraction. This prestigious doctoral opportunity is part of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project titled Justice in Critical Minerals Governance and Energy Transitions, led by Dr Clement Sefa Nyarko.
The PhD studentship offers a unique opportunity for researchers passionate about environmental justice, governance, sustainability, natural resource politics, and community-centered research to contribute to global discussions surrounding clean energy transitions and critical mineral extraction. The successful candidate will begin studies in October 2026 and will receive full financial support, including tuition fees, stipend, and research funding.
About the King’s College London PhD Studentship
As the world accelerates toward net-zero emissions and clean energy technologies, the demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements continues to rise. However, the extraction of these minerals often comes with serious environmental, political, and social consequences, especially for communities located in resource-rich regions.
This PhD project seeks to critically examine these challenges through interpretive and community-centered research approaches. The selected doctoral student will investigate how issues of justice, equity, participation, governance, and accountability intersect with global energy transitions.
The studentship is hosted by the African Leadership Centre (ALC) within the School of Global Affairs at King’s College London. The ALC is internationally recognized for promoting ethical, African-led, and innovative approaches to leadership, development, peace, and security.
Students joining this program will become part of a vibrant academic and policy-oriented community while receiving extensive doctoral training and mentorship.
Funding Benefits
The selected PhD candidate will receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:
- Full Home tuition fees coverage
- Annual stipend of £23,805 paid at the UKRI rate
- Research support allowance of £1,350 per year
- Access to specialist doctoral training
- Academic mentorship from leading scholars
- Support for conferences, fieldwork, and publications
- Opportunities to collaborate with international research and policy partners
- Potential field engagement opportunities in Africa, Latin America, or Australia depending on research design
This funding package allows the student to focus fully on research and academic development throughout the duration of the program.
Duration and Start Date
- Start Date: October 2026
- Duration: 3.5 years (Full-time)
Research Themes and Areas of Focus
Applicants are encouraged to align their research interests with the broader goals of the fellowship while developing their own independent doctoral research agenda.
Potential research themes include:
1. Justice and Equity in Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Research may explore how benefits and burdens associated with mineral extraction are distributed across societies and communities.
2. Community Experiences of Justice
Applicants can investigate how local populations interpret justice, exclusion, and participation in extractive industries.
3. Governance and Accountability in Extractive Contexts
This theme focuses on political leadership, transparency, governance structures, and institutional accountability surrounding natural resource extraction.
4. Participatory and Bottom-Up Energy Transition Approaches
Researchers may examine inclusive and community-led approaches to studying sustainable energy transitions.
5. Innovative Interpretive and Qualitative Methodologies
The fellowship welcomes innovative research approaches including:
- Hermeneutical Ethnography
- Interpretive methodologies
- Narrative analysis
- Symbolic analysis
- Community-centered qualitative research
Why This PhD Opportunity Matters
The global shift toward renewable energy is increasing international demand for minerals essential for batteries, electric vehicles, and clean technologies. While these transitions are often presented as environmentally beneficial, communities living in mining regions frequently face:
- Environmental degradation
- Land displacement
- Exclusion from policy decisions
- Unequal distribution of economic benefits
- Political marginalization
- Social injustices
This PhD aims to contribute to more ethical and equitable approaches to global energy transitions by centering community voices and lived experiences.
Academic Environment at the African Leadership Centre
The African Leadership Centre at King’s College London offers a dynamic environment for doctoral researchers interested in global development, governance, leadership, and justice.
Students will benefit from:
- Interdisciplinary supervision
- Leadership development opportunities
- Networking with global scholars
- Access to international policy communities
- Advanced methodological training
- Collaborative academic culture
The Centre is particularly known for supporting African-led perspectives and ethical scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet several academic and research-related requirements to be considered for the studentship.
Essential Requirements
Candidates should possess:
- A Master’s degree (completed or near completion) in:
- International Development
- Political Science
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Law
- Or related disciplines
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- Strong interest in interpretive, ethnographic, or community-centered research approaches
- Understanding of narratives, symbols, silences, and non-verbal meaning-making processes
- Ability or potential to use participatory and co-creation methodologies
- Experience using qualitative or multimodal analysis software such as:
- NVivo
- Atlas.ti
- MAXQDA
- Interest in:
- Environmental justice
- Energy transitions
- Extractive politics
- Natural resource governance
Desirable Qualifications
The following experiences are considered advantageous:
- Excellent communication skills
- Previous fieldwork experience in Africa, Latin America, Australia, or other extractive regions
- Background in sustainability transitions
- Indigenous studies expertise
- Environmental governance knowledge
Application Process
The application process consists of two separate stages.
Part 1: Submit Documents by Email
Applicants must send a single PDF file via email to:
clement.1.sefa-nyarko@kcl.ac.uk
Subject Line:
Application for PhD Studentship on Justice in Energy Transitions
The PDF should include:
- Research Proposal (Maximum 2,000 words)
- Research focus
- Questions
- Case studies
- Significance
- Methodological innovation
- Bibliography (excluded from word count)
- Sample of Written Work
- Personal Statement (1–2 pages)
- Academic Transcripts
- Two References
- At least one academic reference
- Professional references accepted if qualifications were completed more than five years ago
Part 2: Submit Formal King’s Apply Application
Applicants must also submit an official application through King’s Apply to the PhD programme:
Leadership Studies with Reference to Security and Development at the African Leadership Centre.
Deadline for Applications
- Application Deadline: 25 May 2026
Late applications may not be considered, so applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their materials early.
Who Should Apply?
This PhD studentship is ideal for:
- Early-career researchers
- Graduates passionate about environmental justice
- Scholars interested in energy governance
- Researchers focusing on extractive politics
- Students committed to participatory and community-centered methodologies
- Individuals seeking to influence equitable global sustainability transitions
Final Thoughts
The King’s College London PhD Studentship on Justice and Energy Transitions represents a powerful opportunity for aspiring scholars to contribute to urgent global conversations surrounding critical minerals, climate justice, and equitable sustainability transitions.
With generous funding, international research exposure, advanced doctoral training, and mentorship from leading academics, this studentship offers an exceptional platform for researchers committed to advancing justice-centered approaches to global energy transitions.
Students with strong interdisciplinary interests and passion for ethical, community-driven research are highly encouraged to apply before the deadline.
Application Link
Part 1: Email a single PDF to clement.1.sefa-nyarko@kcl.ac.uk by 25 May 2026 with the subject line: Application for PhD Studentship on Justice in Energy Transitions.
Include:
- Research proposal (max. 2,000 words) outlining focus, questions, cases, significance, and methodological innovation, plus bibliography (not included in word count).
- Sample of written work.
- Personal statement (1–2 pages).
- Academic transcript(s). • Two references (at least one academic; professional references acceptable if qualifications were completed over five years ago).
Part 2: Submit an application via King’s Apply to the PhD programme Leadership Studies with Reference to Security and Development at the African Leadership Centre.
Learn More
- For more information about this opportunity, Click here
- More global PhD opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here
