Effects of extreme weather events on indoor environment, household behaviour and housing management at University of Exeter

Climate change leads to more extreme weather in the UK and triggers public health responses. However, the impacts of extreme weather at the household level has been largely undocumented and may lead to exposure misclassification. This is particularly true for social housing residents, who are more likely to live in poor-quality housing and hence be more vulnerable to climate change.

The primary research question of this PhD project is:

• How does extreme weather (e.g. heat waves and storms) affect the indoor environment (e.g. temperature, humidity, air quality), household behaviours and health, and housing provider responses (e.g. building repairs and household support)?

This research question could be addressed quantitatively, qualitatively or with a mix of methods.

Secondary research questions, dependent on method choice, are:

1. Can outdoor temperature be used to predict indoor temperature peak events? Can this be reflected in the public weather warning messaging systems?
2. How do social housing residents perceive and respond to extreme weather events in their daily lives?
3. Does extreme weather lead to more building repairment requests? How are housing providers currently managing this?
4. In what ways can housing management and public health strategies be adapted to enhance resilience and mitigate the health impacts of climate change on residents?

To answer the research questions quantitatively, the supervision team have obtained data access to indoor environment sensor data at national scale from a leading industrial collaborator. To pair with this big dataset, outdoor environment data at MetOffice can be provided by the supervision team, based on geographical proximity to the nearest climate station. During the PhD project, area-level population health response, household level behaviour response, and management responses from service provider could be further linked.

To answer the research questions qualitatively, the supervision team can facilitate connections with housing providers, resident groups, and the MET office. The student could choose to develop these connections to understand resident experience and behaviours, identify the current barriers and facilitators, to inform adaption measures for household who stay indoors, and to prepare for emergency responses.

Possible quantitative methodologies include concurrent time-series analysis of outdoor and indoor environment data, prediction model building between indoor & outdoor weather data and building repairs, and epidemiological analysis between exposure and health outcomes.

Possible qualitative or mixed method approaches include interviews, focus groups, surveys, ethnography, participatory mapping, and document analysis. To examine extreme weather event impact and management from the perspective of residents and stakeholders.

The supervisory team would also welcome PhD applicants to identify other creative methodologies.

We are looking for candidates from either quantitative or qualitative backgrounds with an interest in gaining mixed methods experience. Quantitative applicants are expected to have worked with large datasets or equivalent project experiences, and have programming skills such as R coding (preferable) and communication skills.

Qualitative applicants are expected to have skills and experience in qualitative methods and analysis. Candidates should be comfortable engaging ethically with participants from diverse backgrounds, including vulnerable groups. Basic proficiency in qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti, or similar) is desirable, though training can be provided.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

The project is based in ECEHH, at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall, and may involve visits to stakeholders to gather further data, and placements(s) at the external supervisors’ institutions.