This PhD opportunity at Cranfield University explores energy flexibility, energy policy and social inequalities in the energy transition. Applicants are invited to develop their own research proposals, with possible directions including flexibility poverty, community energy and local energy sharing. Working with Dr Pegah Mirzania, applicants will refine their ideas and explore fully funded studentship opportunities through Cranfield’s research networks. These studentships cover tuition fees and a living-cost stipend, with funding subject to eligibility and a successful competitive application.

Energy flexibility - the ability to change when electricity is used, generated or stored is central to the UK’s net-zero transition. The 2025 Clean Flexibility Roadmap recognises that some households face barriers to participation. Understanding how financial resources, digital capabilities, technology ownership and everyday needs affect access to flexibility benefits is therefore important for a fair energy transition. 

Applicants are invited to develop their own PhD proposals exploring how flexibility value is created, allocated and distributed within decentralised energy systems, and how access to benefits could reduce social inequalities. Proposals could draw on “flexibility poverty” to examine participation and exclusion, or explore whether community energy, local energy sharing and energy credit allocation can extend benefits beyond households that own energy assets. Research could compare cases in the UK and one or more EU countries. Applicants will shape their questions, case studies and methods according to their interests and data availability, potentially combining comparative policy analysis with modelling of household outcomes. 

Cranfield’s involvement in European community energy research provides links with academic, industry and community partners. Applicants will work with Dr Pegah Mirzania to develop a proposal for the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) student-led competition, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Successful studentships cover tuition fees and a tax-free living-cost stipend. Funding is subject to eligibility and a successful competitive application. 

The research aims to identify who benefits from energy flexibility, who faces exclusion and which arrangements could support more inclusive participation. Depending on the chosen focus, outputs could include comparisons of policy approaches, assessments of household outcomes and recommendations for distributing flexibility benefits more fairly. Findings would inform policymakers, energy organisations and community initiatives working towards a just energy transition. 

The opportunity connects social science with energy systems research and offers scope to engage with practitioners. A SENSS award would provide tailored research training, access to a wider doctoral network and a three-month placement. Conference participation and UK or overseas fieldwork could also form part of the research, depending on the proposal and agreed funding. 

The student will develop expertise in energy policy and social inequalities, alongside transferable skills in research design, data analysis, critical thinking, project management and communication. These skills would support careers in academic research, government, energy organisations, consultancy and the voluntary sector. 

At a glance

  • Application deadline02 Dec 2026
  • Award type(s)PhD
  • Start date27 Sep 2027
  • Duration of award3.5 years full time. 6 years part time
  • EligibilityUK
  • Reference numberCRAN-0119

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first- or second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit applicants with an understanding of energy systems and policy, including those from engineering, renewable energy, energy economics or social science backgrounds. An interest in energy flexibility and social inequalities would be particularly relevant. 

We encourage applications from underrepresented groups and people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Funding

Applicants will work with Dr Pegah Mirzania to develop a proposal for the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) student-led competition, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Successful studentships cover tuition fees and a tax-free living-cost stipend. Funding is subject to eligibility and a successful competitive application.

To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be classified as a Home fee status student. Eligibility for Home fee status is determined with reference to UK Department for Education rules. As a guiding principle UK or Irish nationals who are ordinarily resident in either the UK or Republic of Ireland pay Home tuition fees. All other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees. Further advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website.

Sharing data

UKRI would like to have a better understanding of the students its training provision attracts and supports. Diversity information on all applicants/recruits applying for UKRI funded studentships will be shared with UKRI. The data will be aggregated and will not be shared as individual data or used to report on individuals or specific universities. The data will be used to analyse general trends in student populations across UKRI's portfolio.

Diversity and Inclusion at Cranfield

We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in our CDT program, and warmly encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. We particularly welcome students with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and those who identify with diverse ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Cranfield strives to provide an accessible and inclusive environment to enable all doctoral candidates to thrive and achieve their full potential.

At Cranfield, we value our diverse staff and student community and maintain a culture where everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect. This is reflected in our University values of ambition, impact, respect and community. We welcome students and staff from all backgrounds from over 100 countries and support our staff and students to realise their full potential, from academic achievement to mental and physical wellbeing.

We are committed to progressing the diversity and inclusion agenda, for example; gender diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through our Athena SWAN Bronze award and action plan, we are members of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) and Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day. We are also Disability Confident Level 1 Employers and members of the Business Disability Forum and Stonewall University Champions Programme.

Cranfield Doctoral Network

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This Network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for our researchers to share ideas, identify opportunities for collaboration and create smaller communities of practice. It aims to encourage an effective and vibrant research culture, founded upon the diversity of activities and knowledge.

Doctoral Researchers’ Core Development (DRCD) Programme

An important part of the research journey is developing key skills that will benefit a research students research and professional development. As a research student at Cranfield, you will be expected to attend the DRCD programme which comprises of four 1 week units which cover the key stages of your research journey. Workshops are held face to face, providing the opportunity for you to network and collaborate with your peers during these valuable development sessions. For further details visit Cranfield's Doctoral Network.

How to apply

If this is an area of research that interests you please contact Dr Pegah Mirzania - p.mirzania@cranfield.ac.uk to express your interest and discuss developing your proposal ahead of the January 2027 SENSS funding deadline

To start the conversation, Pegah would like a 300-word abstract outlining your proposed research and how you would approach this PhD topic under her supervision. If you have any questions, please contact Dr Pegah Mirzania.