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​Enhancing Sustainability and Innovation in the Housing Construction Sector through Modern Methods of Construction Adoption by Learning from Failures

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: ​​Enhancing Sustainability and Innovation in the Housing Construction Sector through Modern Methods of Construction Adoption by Learning from Failures. ​ 

Project Lead: Dr. ​Danstan Bwalya Chiponde​ 

Project ID: ​​33 - 46466500​ 

Project Description:

​​Globally, housing remains a challenge. For instance, it is estimated that the UK needs an annual supply of 300,000 houses to end the current housing crisis. Coupled with this housing crisis, climate change is impacting the earth negatively. The construction industry, known for its contribution to global warming and land degradation through material extraction and associated construction activities, is being encouraged to be innovative and adopt sustainable practices.

In response to that, various innovative measures, such as Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are being encouraged. Even with such advancement in technology and innovation, project-related failures such as poor time and cost overruns remain common. Some innovation and technological advancement may not achieve their intended outcomes. However, instead of viewing failure as only leading to negative impact(s), this study encourages reflecting on such failures to enhance sustainability and innovation within the housing sector. As such, the study calls for a creative approach to failure by using lessons from failures to inform sustainability and innovative measures as we endeavour to mitigate the housing crisis.

​Aim and Objectives:

The aim of this study is to develop a framework for enhancing sustainability and innovation within the housing construction industry by systematically learning from failures. ​

Suggested Objectives:
  • Evaluate existing definitions and interpretations of sustainability and innovation within the context of housing construction.
  • Identify and categorise the primary causes of failures specifically within the housing sectors and investigate how they can influence the achievement of sustainability and innovation.
  • Review the performance and associated failures of modern methods of construction (MMC) in delivering sustainable housing.
  • Explore the key barriers and enabling factors in learning from failures to advance sustainability and innovation in the housing sector.
  • Develop and validate a comprehensive, integrated framework that systematically incorporates lessons learned from project failures to enhance sustainability and innovation.
Methodology

This research will adopt a mixed methods approach as the methodology, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Data will be collected using questionnaire surveys and structured interviews from key stakeholders in the housing sector, e.g., general contractors, specialist MMC contractors, designers, project managers, and regulatory bodies such as local authorities. Secondary data based on past reports of failed projects and organisations will also be used.

Anticipated Findings and Contribution to Knowledge:

​​Possible findings and contribution to knowledge may include the following (which are not exhaustive): ​

  • The findings will contribution to the understanding and perception of subjective terms within the construction industry, such as definition of failure, sustainability and innovation. ​
  • Instead of typical product or tool-based approach in advancing innovation and sustainability measures, the study will also encourage a reflective approach. ​
  • The findings will inform formulation of policy and guidelines related to sustainability and innovation, not only in housing but on other types of infrastructure in the construction. Additionally, the identification of failure earlier and shared or lessons applied on future projects will mitigate having to suffer damages or cost of experiencing the actual failure by stakeholders in the project environment. ​
  • Failure remains a difficulty subject area to collect data due to its sensitive nature. Among the tools that the study intends to use are vignettes in both interviews and surveys. Hence, methodological contributions will be made by exploring the use of vignettes in analysing failure. ​
  • With barriers and challenges to sustainable housing being unravelled, the findings will contribute to the delivery of the much-needed houses to mitigate the housing crisis within the UK. ​MMC provide sustainability benefits, but there are underlying constraints which lead to organisational failures. The framework will offer lessons learnt to support MMC organisations or any other organisations involved in delivering sustainability and innovation within the sector.

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: 

  • ​Have previously conducted an independent research project.  

​ ​Desirable Criteria: 

  • ​Familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative methods since research methods may adopt a mixed methods approach depending on the research focus.  

  • ​A track record of publications in recognized journals and conferences.  

  • ​Knowledge and prior learning in sustainability and innovation.

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: danstan.chiponde@bcu.ac.uk.

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