Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
The mountain landscapes of England and Wales are among the UK’s most culturally significant and heavily visited environments, offering opportunities for walking, climbing, swimming, camping, and nature-based wellbeing. However, the same qualities that make these environments attractive for recreation also render them vulnerable to cumulative environmental pressures. Upland tarns and their associated catchments are particularly sensitive, as they are often remote, ecologically fragile, slow to recover from disturbance, and difficult to monitor or manage effectively. These environments may also pose direct health risks to visitors through the consumption of untreated water, as evidenced by reported cases of illness among recreationists.
This PhD project will explore the link between wild camping and water quality in mountain environments. Wild camping sits at the centre of a contested debate around access, environmental responsibility, and landscape protection. While often characterised as a low-impact recreational practice associated with “leave no trace” principles, land managers and local authorities report increasing pressures linked to irresponsible camping. These include littering, open fires, toileting near water bodies, vegetation damage, and the concentrated use of sensitive lakeshore locations. Previous research from Scotland has demonstrated links between wild camping and faecal contamination of upland waters (McDonald et al., 2008; Forrester and Stott, 2016). More recently, a pilot study at Leeds Beckett University identified human-derived faecal contamination in upland tarn waters in the Lake District National Park using environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques, highlighting the potential relevance of these issues within England and Wales.
This PhD project will build on previous work by developing and applying novel eDNA-based approaches to detect and trace sources of faecal contamination in upland tarns and catchments. These molecular techniques will be used alongside environmental and spatial analyses to quantify the magnitude of contamination and assess its spatial and temporal variability. Relationships between water quality and potential drivers will also be explored, including site characteristics, patterns of wild camping behaviour, and environmental conditions. The research may be complemented by social science approaches, such as surveys or interviews, to examine visitor behaviour, perceptions of responsibility, and awareness of environmental risk. By integrating these perspectives, the project aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how recreational practices influence water quality in sensitive upland environments.
The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary skillset, combining field-based environmental sampling, molecular laboratory techniques (including eDNA extraction and analysis), and spatial and statistical data analysis. There is also scope for the candidate to engage with social science methods to explore visitor behaviour and perceptions. Full training will be provided, and applicants are not expected to have prior experience across all areas. By the end of the PhD, the candidate will have developed expertise at the intersection of environmental science, recreation ecology, and sustainable landscape governance.
Mode of Study: Full-Time (3yrs)
Duration of funding: 36 months (three years)
Type of Funding Available: Home (UK) Fees and Stipend
Stipend Value: £21,805 (UKRI 2026/2027 rate)
Stipends are tax-free and paid pro-rata in monthly payments
To apply, please visit the application portal which can be found through the Apply Now button. You need to select the project you would like to apply for, and include the application reference number clearly in your application. Please ensure that you include the following documents for a complete application:
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
