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The CAST team at the 2026 Annual Assembly event at the University of Manchester.
CAST PhD studentship at the University of Bath (UK students only)
Understanding consumer attitudes to lead pipe replacement
- Primary supervisor: includes Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh, CAST Director & Theme 4 Co-lead & Prof Julie Barnett
- Job type: Full-time
- Location: University of Bath
- Deadline: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Topic overview:
This PhD aims to address this significant societal challenge by exploring the drivers of and barriers to lead pipe replacement by consumers. The outcome of the PhD will be the development of practical, evidence-based tools aimed at increasing uptake of replacement across customer groups.
Applying insights from risk research and behavioural science, the PhD will take a mixed methods approach (including using experimental methods). It has three objectives:
- To identify barriers and drivers to uptake of lead pipe replacement amongst diverse property owners (owner occupiers, private landlords, housing associations, commercial owners etc.).
- To test behaviour change interventions (e.g., different messages, timing) to drive adoption of lead pipe replacement.
- To explore upstream opportunities to embed lead pipe investigation into property conveyancing.
The studentship is funded by UKWIR, the leading independent research organisation for the UK and Irish water sector. The student will work closely with Wessex Water and other water companies to ensure the research has real-world impact in tackling this major environmental health risk.