Project title: Microplastics in Community Fish Aquaculture (Fishponds): Contamination and Sustainable Removal Method
Eligibility: Indonesian nationals
Duration: Full-Time – between three and four years
Start date: September 2026
For further details contact:
- CU DoS: Associate Professor Anna Bogush (CAWR, CU, UK)
- ITB DoS: Prof. Dwina Roosmini (ITB, Indonesia)
Introduction
Community-based freshwater aquaculture (fishponds) represents a cornerstone of food security and rural livelihoods across Indonesia, with millions of smallholder households depending on pond-raised fish as a primary source of protein and income. However, these productive systems are increasingly threatened by MP contamination originating from surrounding catchments, irrigation water, plastic aquaculture equipment, and plastic-containing fish feeds. MPs have been shown to accumulate in the tissues of farmed fish, raising direct concerns for human dietary exposure. Despite the scale and social importance of community fish aquaculture in Indonesia, virtually no systematic data exist on MP contamination levels, sources, or pathways in these systems. Furthermore, there is a critical lack of evidence-based, low-cost, and community-appropriate MP removal strategies suitable for smallholder pond contexts. This interdisciplinary project will address these gaps by combining environmental chemistry, aquaculture science, and community-engaged research to characterise MP contamination in fishpond systems and co-develop and evaluate sustainable, affordable MP mitigation approaches with local farming communities.
Main goal
To assess the extent and sources of MP contamination in community fishpond systems in Indonesia and to develop and evaluate sustainable, community-appropriate methods for reducing MP loads in pond water and farmed fish.
Objectives
- To quantify and characterise MPs (abundance, size, shape, and polymer type) in pond water, sediments, fish feed, and the tissues of farmed fish species across a range of community aquaculture sites using µFTIR and Raman microscopy/spectroscopy.
- To identify the primary sources and pathways of MP input into community fishpond systems, including irrigation water, atmospheric deposition, feed materials, and pond infrastructure.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost, scalable MP removal and mitigation strategies (e.g., using sustainable materials) under realistic smallholder pond conditions.
- To engage with fish farming communities through participatory research methods (surveys, focus groups, co-design workshops) to assess awareness of MP contamination risks, evaluate the acceptability of proposed mitigation strategies, and co-develop evidence-based guidance for safer aquaculture practice.
Applicant can apply for tuition fees and bursarys to Program Doktor untuk Dosen Indonesia or PDDI Double Degree.
Benefits
One successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal, and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral and Researcher College, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
- ITB requirements listed in admission.itb.ac.id
PLUS
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years.
- A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS) academic overall minimum score of 7.0.
Timeline
- Registration at ITB: 22-29 June 2026
- Study Program Selection: 2-3 July 2026
- LoA issued: 8 July 2026
- PDDI Scholarship Registration: Until 9 July 2026
Admin contact info: Mimin (+62 821-2686-0061)
