PhD: Coworking spaces as place-based organisational actors, University of Bath, UK

We invite applications from highly motivated candidates to undertake a 3–4-year Full-time PhD beginning in September 2027 who are interested in exploring the role of coworking spaces as organisational actors and their wider regional impact:

1. by supporting entrepreneurship,
2. as actors reconstructing lost socio-economic infrastructures in peripheral, lagging or long ignored areas.
3. as hubs of innovative activity (either with specialist or generalist foci)
4. as intermediaries/anchor organisations in broader place-based systems of innovation.

Coworking spaces (and flexible office space – collectively referred to hereon in as CWSs) have experienced growth in many countries, in capital cities but also provincial towns/cities, rural and coastal areas. A key element of CWSs is an emphasis upon being a ‘community’.

Depending upon the specifics of the ‘community’, CWSs can enhance inclusiveness of various socio-economic groups, genders, ethnicity into the local workforce through entrepreneurship and business support. CWSs offer the potential to facilitate skills upgrading, entrepreneurial knowledge and confidence. Therefore, they may play a role in local workforce (re)integration and within a broader strategy to revitalise local economies/regional ecosystems however, the evidence remains largely anecdotal.

CWSs may also form specialised communities organised around specific technologies (AI, Digital, Creative etc.), or sectors (professional services, architecture etc.). Raising the attractiveness of a location and its regional productivity, stimulating more rapid progression of the knowledge frontier in its specialised area. Yet, the ‘community’ here may face tensions of both inclusivity and exclusivity. Those which are more inclusive may display similar characteristics to CWSs as outlined above. Those which are more ‘exclusive’ may or may not generate the positive effects commonly expressed and may have different impacts upon regional growth. There may also be tensions in the formation of a community where knowledge sharing maybe more limited due to fears over loss of proprietary knowledge.

We are interested in proposals addressing elements of these areas or combination thereof. Studies may be based in the UK or internationally. Comparative studies across sectors, regions and nations are also encouraged.

Candidate requirements:

Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree First Class or 2:1, or international equivalent. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous. Non-UK applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement.

Applicants should submit proposals (approximately 1,500 to 2,000 words) to Prof Felicia Fai (F.M.Fai@bath.ac.uk) and Prof Phil Tomlinson (P.R.Tomlinson@bath.ac.uk) jointly.

Your proposal should include:

• Your name
• Proposed programme of study
• Tentative title of thesis
• Aims and objectives
• Rationale
• Methodology
• Timeline
• Bibliography

We would prefer applications written in your own words rather than assisted by AI. If used, applicants must declare any use of AI in the preparation of their proposal, specifying the purpose (e.g., drafting, editing, idea generation, or literature/citation sourcing etc.,) and identify the AI system and version used.

Enquiries:

Informal enquiries are encouraged. Direct these to Prof Felicia Fai (F.M.Fai@bath.ac.uk) and Prof Phil Tomlinson (P.R.Tomlinson@bath.ac.uk).

Preferred start date

All PhD students must commence registration and PhD training in 4 October 2027.

Application Instructions

Please follow the below instructions carefully.

You must make a formal application via the University of Bath’s online application form for an Integrated PhD in Management.

The Integrated PhD programme includes a one-year MRes. If you already hold an MRes qualification, you may apply for the standalone PhD in Management.

In the ‘Funding Your Studies’ section, select the right scholarships from the drop-down list.

In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor’s name in the field ‘Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.’

You must ensure that you follow the above steps correctly.

*Please note that our studentships do not cover UK Student visa costs, or the cost of the mandatory UK Immigration Health Surcharge. These costs can be considerable, so we ask all Overseas applicants to check these costs before applying and ensure they would be willing and able to cover these from their personal funds.

• CSC scholarships deadline – Sunday 29 November 2026
• URSA deadline – 26^th February 2027 at 23:59 GMT
• Self-funded applicants – 31 March 2027 at 23:59 GMT
• Externally-funded students – application deadlines as per funder

Please note that these are the deadlines both for your final application, and for you to have attended an interview with the supervisory team (i.e., Professors Tomlinson & Fai) and for them to have submitted your interview paperwork.

You must therefore make initial contact with the supervisory team prior to this date, so there is time to arrange an interview with you before the deadline(s).

Applications received just before the deadline(s) where the supervisory team have not previously been contacted cannot be accepted.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.