Emma Mahoney

Thesis title: Understanding Power in Urban Climate Governance: The Case of Sheffield, South Yorkshire

As a super-wicked problem, the climate crisis represents the most significant philosophical, political, and ethical problem facing humanity today. The solutions to the climate crisis are complex and contested, and no government has yet responded to this threat in an adequate way. Hoping to make a small contribution to tackling this momentous and existential threat, my PhD aims to analyse the power dynamics between state and civil society actors in shaping the outcomes and perceptions of Urban Climate Governance. Taking into account the responsibility that the Global North has for causing the climate crisis and a long history of transformative political agendas, the city of Sheffield has been selected as the case study site for this research project. The methods selected to undertake this study include document analysis, expert interviews, stakeholder workshops, and a small portion of non-participant observation. These methods will rely on working closely with local council officers, local politicians, academics, community members, and urban activists in order to be robust and effective. Finally, my research findings will be analysed with a pragmatist and critical realist philosophy before submitting my thesis in Autumn 2025.

supervisors: Dr Madeleine Pill and Professor Beth Perry