A Net Positive PhD: Building Sustainable Food Systems for Public Health in the UK

  • Posted on: 6 August 2025
A Net Positive PhD: Building Sustainable Food Systems for Public Health in the UK

The Centre for Net Positive Health & Climate Solutions is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity to explore sustainable, interdisciplinary approaches to improving food security and public health through fruits and vegetables.

This unique doctoral project will be supervised by Prof. Matt Lobley, Dr. Kerry Ann Brown, and Prof Conny Guell, and is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of a larger research effort to shape systems that are net positive for people and planet.

Why This Matters

The way fruits and vegetables are grown, sold, and consumed is central to the UK’s food security. With the UK producing just 60% of its vegetables and only 20% of its fruits domestically, we remain vulnerable to global shocks—from climate-induced weather events to geopolitical disruptions.

Healthy, plant-based foods are essential to reducing diet-related health inequalities, yet they remain out of reach for many due to limited access, affordability, and marketing competition from less nutritious options.

This PhD project will investigate how we can build resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems—without exploiting people or the planet.

What Is a Net Positive Approach?

The Net+ Centre brings together researchers from across disciplines with partners including the UK Health Security Agency, Met Office, Forest Research, National Trust, and others.

Its goal is to deliver net positive solutions—approaches that not only reduce the negative health impacts of climate change but also enhance ecosystems, improve wellbeing, and reduce inequalities.

About the PhD Project

The student will take a planetary health and systems approach, engaging with the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s six pillars of food security: availability, access, utilisation, stability, sustainability, and agency.

Possible research areas include:

  1. Policy Coherence
    Conduct a systematic evidence synthesis of local and national policies related to fruits and vegetable food security in the UK, including interviews with key stakeholders.

  2. Grower and Retailer Perspectives
    Explore the practices, challenges, and aspirations of UK horticulturalists through interviews and/or surveys.

  3. Community Innovation
    Engage with economically disadvantaged communities to understand how local innovations can improve access to fruits and vegetables, potentially using existing programme data.

These threads could be brought together using participatory group model building workshops to visualise dynamic causal relationships and identify feasible pathways to scale up innovation.

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for applicants with:

  • A strong academic background (2:1 or higher) in social or political science

  • A Master’s degree (or working toward one) at Merit level or above

  • A passion for interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research

  • An interest in climate, public health, or sustainable food systems

This studentship is open to UK Home students only, starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

What’s Included?

✅ Full tuition (Home rate)
✅ Annual tax-free stipend for 4 years (or pro rata for part-time)
✅ Access to a vibrant research environment and world-leading expertise

How to Apply

🗓️ Application deadline: 8 September 2025
📍 Campus-based study only (no distance learning)

Application materials required:

  • Cover letter (including research interests and fit with the Net+ Centre)

  • CV

  • Academic transcripts/certificates

  • Two references (at least one academic)

  • Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)

📧 References must be emailed directly to: [email protected]
📝 All application materials must be submitted in English.

🔗 Apply here: University of Exeter PhD Opportunity – Ref 5593

Final Thoughts

This is more than a PhD—it’s an opportunity to contribute to real-world change at the intersection of public health, climate, and sustainable food systems. If you’re ready to help design a food future that’s good for both people and planet, we’d love to hear from you.