Co-Production, Climate Resilience, and Accountability: A Pathway to Localising Sustainable Agendas

Overview

This is an opportunity to conduct fully funded interdisciplinary research under the Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme at the University of Essex.

This project explores the intersection of co-production, climate resilience, and accountability as a strategy to localise the global sustainable development agenda. As climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, it is crucial to develop localised, inclusive approaches that integrate local knowledge and address unique environmental and social challenges. Co-production, where multiple stakeholders collaborate - governments, citizens, NGOs, and businesses - offers a suitable framework for this purpose.

The project will explore how co-production can potentially strengthen community climate resilience by enabling participatory decision-making that reflect local priorities. A key focus will be on accountability mechanisms to ensure that all stakeholders, particularly marginalized groups, have an equal voice and that commitments are followed through at local, national, and international levels. The project will test the case for interdisciplinary collaboration in creating equitable, sustainable solutions to climate challenges at the community level.

It will analyse existing co-production frameworks, evaluate their effectiveness in building resilience, and identify areas for improvement in accountability. By aligning the principles of co-production with the need for climate resilience and stronger accountability, this study aims to provide actionable recommendations for public policies. These insights will help localise the sustainable development agenda, making it more effective in addressing climate change at the grassroots level.

Interdisciplinary focus

The project integrates insights from public governance, community development and empowerment, and social accountability. By synthesizing environmental studies with participatory governance and socio-economic analysis, it addresses the complex dynamics of climate resilience. This approach bridges scientific understanding of climate impacts with social justice, ensuring that local voices are heard in decision-making. Parts of the project will utilise ethnographic methods to understand climate resilience in countries/regions most impacted by climate change in the Global South.

Training and support

You will be supported through the Sustainable Transitions training programme which provides initial training in interdisciplinary research methods, training in the secondary discipline within the project area, and ongoing training throughout the duration of the programme. All doctoral scholars benefit from the support of Proficio, which entitles you to £2,500 that can be used to purchase training courses either within or external to the University.

Additionally, all scholars are entitled to an additional £10,000 that can be used to cover research costs and further training. Doctoral scholars are encouraged to audit/attend University masters and degree level courses where appropriate. You will also have the support of the Sustainable Transitions management team as well as your own supervisory team. All Sustainable Transitions scholars will become part of the University of Essex Centre for Environment and Society through which ongoing events and networking opportunities are available.

Person specification

This opportunity is suited for candidates with a degree or background in social sciences, sustainability studies, public policy, governance, development studies, or any other related fields. It is not necessary for the candidate to have prior training in sociology, ethnography, participatory methods or interdisciplinary research as this will be provided on the programme.

Research proposal

The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application. The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team.

Supervision

The primary discipline supervisor takes the lead responsibility for supervising the project. For further detail relating to supervision see the Guidance for Applicants (.docx) document.

Additional background information

Climate change has triggered unpredictable social, environmental, and economic consequences, affecting the livelihoods of billions of people worldwide. Research shows that effectively addressing the impacts of climate change requires an integrated approach, as outlined in the UNDP Climate Change Finance Framework, along with a robust policy framework to allocate financial resources to affected areas, and coordinate with multiple stakeholders and beneficiaries. Promoting broader public intervention and participation has been particularly emphasised as essential for effectively addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Local communities, particularly in vulnerable regions, may struggle with sudden and extreme climate events, such as floods, droughts, or hurricanes. Building climate resilience, particularly in poor or developing regions, requires significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and capacity building. However, these groups often lack the resources to adapt, and may face displacement, loss of livelihoods, or reduced access to essential services, exacerbating existing social inequalities.

Localising resilience efforts allows for community-led adaptation strategies, which are often more cost-effective and contextually appropriate. For example, community-driven water management practices in drought-prone regions can be more effective than top-down national policies. Co-production fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among local communities thereby increasing the likelihood of long-term success, as communities are more likely to support and sustain initiatives that they helped create.

However, power imbalances and fragmented knowledge systems can hinder true collaboration. For example, marginalised communities often lack equal decision-making power, which may lead to solutions that are not fully responsive to local needs. As a result, accountability mechanisms often fail at the local level due to weak governance structures, lack of transparency, or corruption. Funds allocated for climate resilience projects may be mismanaged, while local communities may not have the tools to hold governments or local organisations accountable. When accountability is framed as a top-down imposition from international or national bodies, it can undermine local ownership.

In particular, if communities feel that accountability measures are externally imposed, they may resist compliance or disengage from the sustainability agenda altogether. Participatory governance - where communities, governments, and other stakeholders are jointly involved in decision-making - can enhance accountability. More specifically, when local actors are involved in setting goals and monitoring progress, they are more likely to hold each other accountable. By focusing on localised, context-specific solutions, communities can develop strategies that are more responsive to their immediate needs, while also contributing to national and international climate goals.

How to Apply

Full details available at Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme.

Supervisory team references

1. Wijethilake, C., Adhikari, P., & Upadhaya, B. (2024). Regulatory capture in transboundary waste umping: (Lack of) Accountability in the Global North–South context. Organization & Environment, 37(1), 84-116.
2. Wijethilake, C., Munir, R., & Appuhami, R. (2017). Strategic responses to institutional pressures for sustainability: The role of management control systems. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 30(8), 1677-1710.
3. Upadhaya, B., Wijethilake, C., Adhikari, P., Jayasinghe, K., & Arun, T. (2021). Integrating climate change and livelihood within public investment policies: A cross-country assessment in South Asia (India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka). Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability, The World Bank Group.
4. Hewamanne, S., & Yadav, S. (Eds.). (2022). The Political economy of post-COVID life and work in the Global South: Pandemic and precarity. Springer Nature.
5. Hewamanne, S. (2020). Restitching identities in rural Sri Lanka: gender, neoliberalism, and the politics of contentment. University of Pennsylvania Press.