Environmental Education Research Team (http://ee.uj.edu.pl/en/staff/malgorzata-grodzinska-jurczak-prof/about-me) in co-operation with Institute of Environmental Sciences and Institute of Geography & Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to join the project “Climate crisis: a new paradigm for addressing minimization of plastic harm in the era of COVID-19 pandemic ”

A potential candidate will have an M.Sc. degree in a relevant field (biology, social sciences, psychology, social geography) by July 2019, should possess knowledge and experience in designing and conducting interdisciplinary research and working in interdisciplinary research teams. Written and oral skills in English are required. A job experience in practical nature conservation (also non-research sector) would be of advantage.

How to apply: Candidates are asked to register, submit a CV and a letter of motivation in English and/or Polish. For more information and informal inquiries, please contact supervisor Prof. Małgorzata Grodzińska-Jurczak (m.grodzinska-jurczak@uj.edu.plor Skype: margaretgrodzinskajurczak). The recruitment process details: https://science.phd.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/rekrutacja/rekrutacja2020/2021 and/or https://socialsciences.phd.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/for_candidates/recruitment

Title: Climate crisis: a new paradigm for addressing minimization of plastic harm in the era of COVID-19 pandemic 

Name of supervisor: Prof. Małgorzata Grodzińska-Jurczak 

Background information: Contemporary environmental discourses have been largely focused on different contributors to the climate crisis including plastic considered as having the strongest impact on the natural environment and public health. The CO2 emissions directly connected to plastic production, recycling and utilization – estimated to triple by 2050 - requires a re-assessment due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The already chronic problem of plastic pollution is just becoming more worrying, as the new circumstances result in a constantly growing generation of a new type of pollution originating from single-use items such as gloves, masks, medical suits, cutlery etc. The previously perceived negative roles of plastic experience a major change as health fears appear to outweigh environmental concerns. However, although the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are more immediate than those of plastic usage, both have a tremendous impact on the environment and public health. Facing both threats requires a major incision into the prevailing plastic governance ensuring a sustainable transition of values and behaviors towards a holistic plastic waste management while considering changing environmental conditions.

The main questions to be addressed in the project: This research project aims at re-assessing the plastic threat reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will investigate attitudes and opinions towards the harm of plastic to the environment and health, using the interdisciplinary context, investigating the general public and various stakeholders at local and regional governance levels in Poland. Moreover, we’ll develop an inclusive approach aiming at minimizing the new type of plastic pollution, which will comprise a combination of innovative technologies, participatory scenario modelling and knowledge co-creation processes.

Information on the methods/description of work: The project will utilize a mixed-mode approach with qualitative and quantitative methods. The outputs of the PhD project will be used for comparisons with equivalent research in other countries to validate their relevance and strengthen their practical universality.

Special requirements from the student: A potential candidate should possess knowledge and experience in working cohesively in an interdisciplinary team environment, demonstrate excellent written and oral Polish and English communication skills. A job experience in practical nature conservation (also non-research sector) and participatory research methods would be of advantage.

Place/name of potential foreign collaborator:

Prof. Dietram A. Scheufele, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA

Prof. Maurie Cohen, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA

References

• Anbumani, S., & Kakkar, P. (2018). Ecotoxicological effects of microplastics on biota: a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(15), 14373-14396.
• Chen, S., Yang, J., Yang, W., Wang, C., & Bärnighausen, T. (2020). COVID-19 control in China during mass population movements at New Year. The Lancet, 395(10226), 764-766. 
• Cohen, M. (2020). Does the COVID-19 outbreak mark the onset of a sustainable consumption transition? Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 16:1, 1-3.
• Grodzińska-Jurczak M., A. Krawczyk, A. Jurczak, M. Strzelecka, M. Boćkowski, M. Rechciński. 2020. Environmental choices vs. Covid-19 pandemic fear - Plastic governance re-assessment. Society & Register 4 (2), 34-49.

source: http://ee.uj.edu.pl/pl/aktualnosci/for-phd-candidates