About this role
Start date 1 October 2026
This is one of several fully funded PhD studentships available within the College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE) at UWE Bristol.
The closing date for applications is 12th June 2026, and the expected start date of these studentships is 1st October 2026.
Although many doctoral projects are being advertised across the College, CATE will only fund up to eight studentships in total. Projects selected for funding will be determined based on applicant merit through the selection process outlined below.
This studentship is based in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.
The designation of data centres (DCs) as Critical National Infrastructure signals an acceleration in the UK’s digital capacity. However, because AI infrastructure requires large volumes of water for server cooling, this expansion intensifies pressure on already strained water resources. The Environment Agency (2025) projects a national water deficit of 5 billion litres per day by 2050, with the Southeast classified as “seriously water stressed”. Current Water Resources Management Plans do not account for the growing demand from DCs, and limited regulation requiring DCs to report their water use (Kenny, 2025) further obscures their hydrological impacts. As a result, the prioritisation of the digital economy may exacerbate local water insecurity in ways that unevenly affect communities and ecosystem.
Using a justice lens, this project investigates how national AI ambitions shape water security through the siting and operation of DCs. It asks:
How does DC expansion intersect with current and projected water scarcity in England? What are the hydrological and distributive impact of intensive DC water use? How do digital infrastructure and water resource planning (mis)align, and with what justice implications?
Methodology:
Spatial analysis mapping operational and planned DCs against water-stressed catchments Case study of a DC cluster, using water balance modelling to assess interactions between DC demand and other users Policy analysis and stakeholder interviews to evaluate governance gaps and propose a framework to integrate digital-infrastructure planning with water management.
This research offers novel and timely evidence to inform more equitable and sustainable digital infrastructure policy.
If you have any questions about the studentship, please contact Dr Thanti Octavianti at [email protected].
Eligibility
Applicants must have at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree in geography, environmental science, or a closely related discipline. They should also demonstrate strong written and spoken communication skills. Digital skills, particularly basic proficiency in GIS and coding (R or Python), are desirable.
Funding
The studentship is available from 1 October 2026 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax-exempt stipend, which is currently £20,780 (2025/26) per annum.
In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years.
How to apply
Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2627-OCT-CATE17.
Application deadline
The closing date for applications is 12th June 2026.
Supporting documentation
You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and a recognised English language qualification is required.
You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.
Interview dates
It is expected that interviews will take place on weeks commencing June. If you have not heard from us by July, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.