PhD: West African Coastal Urbanism and Heritage, University of Liverpool, UK

The Urbanism and Coastal Heritage Lab's objective is to investigate the dual threat of rapid globalisation and climate change particularly related to West Africa's coastal urban built environment, cultural heritage and the socio-economic livelihoods of the most vulnerable in this region.

Thematic Focus

• Documenting urban, built environment and cultural heritage of West African coastal cities.
• Exploring how climate change and globalisation have impacted housing, sustainable livelihoods and other development processes in coastal West African cities.
• Determining what needs to be done to enhance the environmental and social sustainability of the built environment across West African coastal cities.
• Engender co-learning between coastal cities, starting from the Liverpool – Lagos nexus.

Envisaged research projects cut across understanding climate impacts of coastal areas in the areas of housing, health and livelihoods; effects of globalisation and the economic (mis)appropriation of coastal city resources on urban planning, design and sustainability; tangible, intangible and hybrid heritage outcomes of colonialism and post-colonialism on indigenous and urban communities; migrant and transnational resource flows between Liverpool and West African coastal cities; to name a few. These are however intended as a guide, with the exact scope and focus of the research to be determined by the candidate and shaped to address their ideas and interests, whilst responding to the thematic focus of the lab. Case studies must be in or relevant to West Africa.

Possible Research Questions

• How did colonialism, independence and globalisation shape policy and investment towards coastal West Africa, and what impact did this have on infrastructure, public facilities, housing, healthcare, education, on the one hand; and on communities, systems and cultures on the other?
• How has globalisation and/or climate change shaped value in the West African urban built environment and how have governments (colonial and/or current) intervened and influenced this process in coastal cities?
• How was the built environment shaped/reimagined in light of globalisation? How might this shape notions of identities of the West African coastal city of today?
• What are the socio-spatial patterns of change in West Africa's coastal communities and cities? Who are the key agents of West Africa's urban turn? How did they drive and shape the built environment and cultural heritage, and what were their key objectives, agendas and outcomes? What does this mean for urban futures?

This studentship is open to only Home applicants.

Home Student Criteria

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements)
• Have settled status
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements)
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

We want to encourage the widest range of potential students to study for a doctoral studentship and are committed to welcoming students from different backgrounds to apply. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds as they are currently under-represented at this level in this area.

Applicants should have a good honours (second class upper and above) undergraduate degree in subjects allied to the Built Environment, Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Cultural Geography or History. A Masters level qualification is desirable but not essential. Applicants may be able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a professional setting (e.g. producing and researching written reports, public outreach and liaison, working with collections and archives). Experience of working in West Africa is desirable but not essential. Applicants must be able to demonstrate an interest in urban studies and heritage, and the potential and enthusiasm for developing skills more widely in related areas.

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026.

Required Documents

• BA & MA award certificates (or evidence of equivalent professional experience)
• BA & MA transcripts
• (If applicable) English language certificate (IELTS minimum overall 6.5, no component below 6.0) or accepted equivalent
• Two references (ideally both should be academic references)
• CV
• Personal Statement/Cover Letter expressing motivation for applying and pursuing a PhD in this thematic area (not more than 500 words).
• Project Plan
• Proposed project outline and suggested research questions
• Proposed Methodology

The project plan should not exceed 2000 words. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online interview before final selection. We are expecting this to take place in June 2026.

The University of Liverpool is pleased to announce the availability of 2 fully funded doctoral studentships, under the Leverhulme International Professorship in Planning and Heritage at the Urbanism & Coastal Heritage Lab (UCH-Lab) of the Architecture Heritage and Urbanism of West Africa Research Centre (www.ahuwa.org) in the School of Architecture. This PhD project will investigate how the built and cultural heritage of coastal cities in West Africa have shaped and been shaped by globalisation and climate change. This project will be jointly supervised by Taibat Lawanson and Ola Uduku, University of Liverpool. The student will be expected to spend time at the University of Liverpool and a research stay in West Africa.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. We especially keen to hear from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented at this level in this area. University of Liverpool Equality and Diversity policy.

Funding Notes

• The award pays tuition fees up to the value of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) full-time home rate for PhD degrees. The UKRI Indicative Fee Level for 2025/26 is £5,238.
• The award pays full maintenance for the students. The National Minimum Doctoral Stipend for 2025/26 is £20,780, plus an allowance of £1,000 per year. Further details can be found on the UKRI website.
• The student is eligible to receive a travel and related expenses grant for fieldwork and a research stay in West Africa worth up to £4,000. This is available once during the course of the studentship.