PhD research project 'Entangled Seaweed', case studies in Scotland

PhD Candidate in the research project 'Entangled with Seaweed', case studies in Scotland Beschrijving van de vacature PhD Candidate in the research project 'Entangled with Seaweed', case studies in Scotland Vacature  Functie categorie:
PhD-posities Aanstellingsomvang in uren min: 38 Aanstellingsomvang in uren max: 38 Standplaats:
Leiden Sluitingsdatum: 7 november 2026

The Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, based within the Faculty of Social Sciences, is looking for an ambitious PhD-candidate to study the impacts of economization of seaweed as part of ‘blue economy’ strategies in Scotland. Research focuses on the impacts on coastal communities considering that in Scotland colonial legacies still influence patterns of unequal access to and use of coastal areas.

You will work within the project ‘Entangled in seaweed:
The politics of economising nature in Scotland and South Africa’funded by an NWO Open Competition grant.

The project investigates the impacts of economisation of seaweed as part of a global drive to develop ‘blue economy’ strategies. Seaweed harvesting and cultivation (as food, or fertilizer- and bioplastic ingredient) are increasing considerably and promoted as contributing to sustainable development. The project focuses on coastal communities in Scotland, which has developed a comprehensive blue economy strategy. Building on insights from political ecology and valuation studies and inspired by the multispecies turn in anthropology, this project aims to study local impacts of new forms of economisation of seaweed, and the possible contestations these may entail.

It seeks to incorporate the ideas, interests, and knowledge from local groups who live from, in and with seaweed ecologies, examining how new versions of economisation affect local social relations, including the entanglements with non-humans these ecologies and economisations depend on. It does so by focusing on valuations of seaweed ecologies, based on an understanding of values as enacted through practices by all (human and non-human) stakeholders.

The project employs a collaborative approach vis‑à‑vis research participants and a wider audience through a visual storytelling approach.

• You will work in a project team consisting of two PhD-candidates and researchers at Leiden University, collaborating with project partners in Scotland. You will:
• Develop a research proposal in the context of the overall project theme, and conduct twelve months of ethnographic research in Scotland. An ethics review and contribution to the data management plan are included in the proposal development. Research includes historical document/policy analysis, participant observation, interviews, and the application of participatory visual storytelling methods.
• Analyse research findings and write a dissertation that contributes to the objectives of the ‘Entangled with Seaweed’ project.
• Actively contribute to the output and dissemination of the research project, which includes collaborating with the other team members on academic and non‑academic publications, science communication, and the organisation of workshops, seminars and an exhibition.
• Participate in relevant PhD‑courses and masterclasses, organised in accordance with the guidelines of the Faculty of Social Science and the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. PhD‑courses at the University of Edinburgh, our partner in the project, can be included in the individual training and supervision plan as well.
• Participate in the PhD programme and other academic activities of the Institute of…