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Common Data Spaces for a Sustainable Built Environment​

Doctoral Training Grant Funding Information 

This funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, set in-line with UK Research & Innovation values. For 2025/6, this will be £20,780 per year. The tax-free stipend will be paid monthly. This PhD Studentship also includes a Full-Time Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years. The funding is subject to your continued registration on the research degree, making satisfactory progression within your PhD, as well as attendance on and successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice.  

All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status. 

Application Closing Date: 
Midday (UK Time) on Wednesday 17 September 2025 for a start date of 2 February 2026. 

How to apply 

To apply, please follow the below steps:  

  1. Complete the BCU Online Application Form 
  2. Complete the Doctoral Studentship Proposal Form in full, ensuring that you quote the project ID. You will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement on the BCU online application form.  
  3. Upload two references to your online application form (at least one of which must be an academic reference). 
  4. Upload your qualification(s) for entry onto the research degree programme. This will be Bachelor/Master’s certificate(s) and transcript(s). 
  5. International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification. Please see the list of English language qualifications accepted here. Please check the individual research degree course page for the required scores. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

To help support you to complete your application, please consult the frequently asked questions below: 

Project Title: ​​Common Data Spaces for a Sustainable Built Environment​

Project Lead: ​​Dr Panagiotis Patlakas​ 

Project ID: ​​32 - 46458275​ 

Project Description:

​​​This project will investigate the design, implementation, and governance of Common Data Spaces (CDS) in order to support sustainability in the Built Environment, covering aspects of Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation. It will explore how interoperable, secure, and accessible data ecosystems can enhance decision-making across the building lifecycle—from planning and construction to operation, renovation, and demolition. The study will combine qualitative and applied methods. Stakeholder interviews, case study analysis, and system modelling will be used to identify best practices and critical gaps in current CDS initiatives, with applicability in the Built Environment. Technical implementation solutions, drawing from Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning techniques, will be developed and applied in pilot projects, in order to provide appropriate application solutions. The emphasis will be on aligning CDS frameworks with sustainability objectives, such as resource efficiency, carbon neutrality (net zero), and circularity.​

Anticipated Findings and Contribution to Knowledge:

​​The research is expected to produce new insights into the technical, organisational, and governance frameworks necessary for effective Common Data Spaces (CDS) in the Built Environment, while developing new solutions that will act as enablers for their practical implementation.​

Person specification:

 Entry Requirements: 

  •  To apply for our Built Environment PhD Research Degree you should have, or expect to be awarded, a Master’s degree in a relevant subject area from a British or overseas university.  

  •  Exceptional candidates without a Master’s degree, but holding a first class or upper second class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area, may be considered.  

  •  We also welcome enquiries from potential PhD researchers with appropriate levels of professional experience.   

 Essential Criteria: 

  • Candidates should also have competency in at least one computer programming language, such as Python, Java, or Javascript.  

Desirable Criteria: 

  • Professional experience in the Built Environment, especially in digital technologies for the Built Environment, is desirable. 

Overseas Applicants:

International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification, such as International English Language Test System (IELTS) or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.  

Contact:

If you have any questions or need further information, please use the contact details below:

For enquiries about the project content, please contact: panagiotis.patlakas@bcu.ac.uk 

For enquiries about the application process, please contact: research.admissions@bcu.ac.uk