PhD scholarship for project Reconciling ownership and democracy within land-use transformations

Job description

The Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, invites applications for a three-year full-time PhD scholarship for the project Reconciling ownership and democracy within land-use transformations (ROOT), with employment starting from 15 August 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The place of employment will be in Odense. The project—funded by SDU Climate Cluster—examines how the green tripartite agreement shapes land use and ownership, showing how property rights influence democratic decision-making and landscape outcomes. The project combines historical analysis, fieldwork, and political theory to trace its roots in past land reforms and future impacts while studying interactions between municipalities, landowners, and civil society. The goal is to offer insights and institutional solutions for more democratic, climate-conscious land governance. The project is led by Professor Klaus Petersen and Professor Lars Tønder. The PhD Student will work closely together with the two senior researchers and colleagues from the Department of Political Science and Public Management as well as the SDU Climate Cluster. The PhD project will p...