Risks and justice implications of data centre and water security in England

This is one of several fully-funded PhD studentships available within the College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE) at UWE Bristol.

Although many doctoral projects are being advertised across the College, CATE will only fund up to eight studentships in total. Projects selected for funding will be determined based on applicant merit through the selection process outlined below.

The designation of data centres (DCs) as Critical National Infrastructure signals an acceleration in the UK’s digital capacity. However, because AI infrastructure requires large volumes of water for server cooling, this expansion intensifies pressure on already strained water resources. The Environment Agency (2025) projects a national water deficit of 5 billion litres per day by 2050, with the Southeast classified as “seriously water stressed”. Current Water Resources Management Plans do not account for the growing demand from DCs, and limited regulation requiring DCs to report their water use (Kenny, 2025) further obscures their hydrological impacts. As a result, the prioritisation of the digital economy may exacerbate local water insecurity in ways that unevenly affect communities and ecosystem.

Using a justice lens, this project investigates how national AI ambitions shape water security through the siting and operation of DCs. It asks:

• How does DC expansion intersect with current and projected water scarcity in England?
• What are the hydrological and distributive impact of intensive DC water use?
• How do digital infrastructure and water resource planning (mis)align, and with what justice implications?

Methodology:

• Spatial analysis mapping operational and planned DCs against water-stressed catchments
• Case study of a DC cluster, using water balance modelling to assess interactions between DC demand and other users
• Policy analysis and stakeholder interviews to evaluate governance gaps and propose a framework to integrate digital-infrastructure planning with water management.

This research offers novel and timely evidence to inform more equitable and sustainable digital infrastructure policy.

• Applicants must have at least a 2.1 undergraduate degree in geography, environmental science, or a closely related discipline.
• They should also demonstrate strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Digital skills, particularly basic proficiency in GIS and coding (R or Python), are desirable.

The studentship is available from 1 October 2026 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax-exempt stipend, which is currently £20,780 (2025/26) per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2627-OCT-CATE17.

Application deadline

The closing date for applications is 12 June 2026.

Apply now

Applicants shortlisted for this project will be invited to interview with a panel comprising members of the supervisory team and the School’s Postgraduate Research (PGR) Lead and/or a senior researcher from the School or College. Successful candidates will be offered a studentship following interview.

Supporting documentation

You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and a recognised English language qualification is required.

You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application.

Interview dates

It is expected that interviews will take place in early June. If you have not heard from us by July, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.

Candidates who meet the entry requirements for doctoral study at UWE Bristol but are not awarded one of the funded studentships may be offered the opportunity to take-up a self funded PhD place.