The University of Auckland has launched an international recruitment drive for ten fully funded PhD researchers as part of New Zealand’s first Nature Positive Hub, aimed at developing new approaches to restoring biodiversity while supporting long-term economic and social wellbeing.
The initiative comes as governments, businesses and communities around the world confront the growing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
The doctoral programme will focus on the concept of a nature-positive economy, which goes beyond simply reducing environmental damage to actively restoring ecosystems and rebuilding biodiversity.
Researchers will investigate how governments, businesses and markets can redesign policies, systems and practices to better balance environmental protection with sustainable economic development.
The projects will cover a broad range of topics including regenerative forestry, fisheries management, biodiversity markets, corporate governance, environmental restoration and the growing international movement recognising the rights of nature.
Other research will explore how public communication influences support for environmental action and examine what it could mean for Aotearoa New Zealand to recognise nature as a form of shared sovereign wealth.
One of the projects will be led by Business School academic Dr Billie Lythberg, who will investigate why some large-scale environmental restoration initiatives in New Zealand have succeeded over many years while others have struggled to maintain momentum.
The research aims to better understand the governance, relationships and long-term commitment needed to sustain successful restoration projects and strengthen future environmental initiatives across Aotearoa.
The University says the programme reflects a growing recognition that today’s environmental challenges are interconnected and require new ways of thinking that bring together ecological, economic, cultural and social perspectives.
For New Zealand, where many restoration projects involve partnerships with iwi and hapū, the research also has the potential to contribute to stronger approaches that recognise mātauranga Māori, environmental stewardship and long-term community resilience.
The Nature Positive Hub is expected to position Aotearoa as an international centre for research into regenerative economies and practical solutions that support both thriving ecosystems and prosperous communities.
Applications for the ten doctoral scholarships are now open as the University begins its worldwide search for researchers committed to shaping the future of environmental sustainability.
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