Postgraduate Research Opportunity: Bridging Economic and Environmental Goals: A General Equilibrium Approach to Circular Economy

Project summary: This project is conducted in collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, and Comillas, Pontifical University, Madrid. It develops a general equilibrium framework that overcomes the limitations of current economic models in dealing with the circular economy (CE). The model can be applied by developing a hybrid dataset combining monetary and physical input-output accounts. This allows to examine the impact of government interventions on CE adoption and innovation.

Start date: 01/10/2025

Duration: 36

Funding: Funded

Funding towards

Home fee/international fee
Stipend -UKRI stipend rate for UK students.

Funding details: Fully-funded scholarship for 3 years covers all university tuition fees (at UK level) and an annual tax-free stipend. International students are also eligible to apply, but they will need to find other funding sources to cover the difference between the home and international tuition fees. Exceptional international candidates may be provided funding for this difference. 

Number of places: 1

Number of places extra: There will be a shortlisting and interview process. The interview will involve a practical task.

RCUK eligibility: No

Eligibility:

Eligibility: Candidates are required to have

• A strong performance at master’s level focussed on Economics, with the expected completion date of no later than September 2025.
• An interest in applied economics analysis, environmental economics, including programming skills.
• An aptitude to undertake research and develop into an independent researcher.
• Experience in coding applied to the solution of economic models is highly desirable.

N.B. Eligibility criteria will be tested both through CV screening and interview which includes a practical task.

www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/postgraduateresearchphdopportunities/business/economics/bridgingeconomicandenvironmentalgoalsageneralequilibriumapproachtocirculareconomy

Study modes eligibility: Full-time

Fee Status: What fee status applies to applicants? Please omit any of the below that do not apply:

Project Details:

This project aims to develop an economic framework to capture the circular economy (CE) both theoretically and empirically. It involves collaboration between ICADE and Strathclyde SBS, led by Drs Figus, Connolly, and Lecca.

 The circular economy is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for achieving sustainable economic growth while reducing environmental degradation. However, traditional economic frameworks are not fully equipped to deal with CE effectively. They often fail to incorporate material flows explicitly, limiting their ability to assess the impact of CE policies. These models do not appropriately differentiate between primary and secondary stages of production and are constrained by the lack of appropriate combined data.

The project has three main objectives. The first is to develop a hybrid dataset that encompasses input-output accounts expressed in monetary terms and materials accounts expressed in physical terms. Reconciling data from different sources, countries, and industries is a crucial challenge. The second is to create an economic modelling framework that captures the distinction between primary and secondary production processes and incorporates different production technologies. Combining the model with the data the third goal is to examine the impact of government intervention on CE adoption and innovation.

Primary Supervisor: Gioele Figus

Additional Supervisor/s: Dr Kevin Connolly, University of Strathclyde

Dr Patrizio Lecca, ICADE/Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid

Further information: This project will be conducted in collaboration with Dr Patrizio Lecca, Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid.