NERC Science @ Leeds and York - Site for PhD Training in Environmental Research (SPHERES)

The NERC Science @ Leeds and York (SPHERES) programme will train the next generation of environmental scientists through a consortium of two universities. Why this matters: The UK needs skilled researchers to tackle pressing environmental challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to pollution and natural resource management. Doctoral training partnerships like SPHERES address a gap in the pipeline between undergraduate education and independent research careers. Without structured, high-quality PhD programmes, the country risks losing its capacity to understand and respond to environmental change. Potential impact: If successful, SPHERES will produce dozens of PhD graduates equipped to work in academia, government agencies, industry, and non-profits. These researchers will contribute directly to evidence-based policy, environmental monitoring, sustainable resource management, and technological innovation. The programme also strengthens the research base at both universities, fostering collaborations that can lead to new discoveries. This is primarily a training and capacity-building initiative rather than a specific research project—its impact will be measured in the careers and contributions of its graduates over decades, not in immediate technological breakthroughs.