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The Doctoral Programme in Planetary Health at the University of Lisbon addresses critical global challenges at the intersection of health, environmental, social, and political sciences. Through a holistic approach, the programme equips students to tackle complex issues that cross ecological and societal boundaries.
Focused on action and transformation, the programme identifies and addresses problems at local, regional, and planetary levels—core to the concept of planetary health. Students are encouraged to develop, test, and refine solutions, applying them in laboratory or simulation environments through collaborative teamwork. This transformative, solution-oriented approach sets the programme apart, with a curriculum designed to integrate diverse knowledge streams in addressing planetary health challenges. Doctoral thesis topics are framed as real-world problems in planetary health, often identified in collaboration with a range of stakeholders (State laboratories, hospitals, museums, companies, NGOs) who may also be involved in employing its graduates.
Presentation
"Discussions about planetary health often lack action. By creating the Doctoral Programme in Planetary Health, the 18 Schools of the University of Lisbon show a strong commitment to driving change and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration for sustainable impact. This programme is a step towards innovation and concrete action for a healthier planet. We invite you to join us in this effort."
CecÃlia Rodrigues, Programme Coordinator
OBJECTIVES
Advancing Solutions for Planetary Health
The programme aims to create leaders capable of generating actionable evidence and crafting sustainable public policies. Graduates will drive transformative change to confront the multifaceted health challenges facing the planet.
FOCUS
Holistic, Cross-Disciplinary Perspective
The programme emphasizes a multi-dimensional approach, integrating health sciences with environmental and social disciplines to understand and address planetary health challenges.
IMPACT MODEL
Solutions-Oriented and Collaborative
Focused on problem-solving, the programme supports students in co-creating and testing solutions at local and global scales, fostering innovation through intersectoral collaboration and multi stakeholder engagement.
The programme integrates perspectives and methodologies for the global application of concepts, recognising non-linear connections between systems. Skills are developed for operational decisions based on evidence, promoting informed transformative interventions.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Aspiring Global Health Experts
Ideal for professionals and scholars in health, environmental sciences, and social policy, this programme attracts those driven to contribute solutions to the world's most urgent planetary health issues.
Flexible and Specialized Curriculum
Students engage in courses, semminars and internships, and select from six specializations—Climate Change and Health, Global Health, Health in Extreme Environment, Policies and Governance in Planetary Health, Tropical Health, and Urban Health, —to tailor their expertise.
In the first semester, students complete four core courses that cover the health, environmental, socio-economic, and political dimensions of Planetary Health. Through case studies, these courses cultivate a critical perspective and expose students to diverse local or global contexts. Two optional courses offer any topic and transversal skills to align with individual interests. By the end of the first year, students define their doctoral specialization, setting their unique academic path. Seminars and internships throughout the four years of the Programme foster both academic and professional growth, encouraging collaborative learning, constructive feedback, network building, and exposure to new ideas.
Active teaching methodologies are employed to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability.
STUDY PLAN AND SPECIALIZATIONS
º£½Ç´óÉñ Plan
| CURRICULAR UNIT | COORDINATION | DURATION | ECTS |
| Anthropocene and Planetary Health |
Coordinators: Aida Tavares, Cristina Branquinho, Miguel Prudêncio Ana Abreu, Francisco Rebelo, Gonçalo Vieira, José Miguel Cardoso Pereira |
Modular | 6 |
| Research Methods in Planetary Health |
Coordinators: Mónica Oliveira, Susana Vinga, Sofia Bento Afonso Cavaco, Alexandre Leitão, Eduarda Marques da Costa, Ricardo Trigo |
Modular | 6 |
| System Science in Planeatry Health |
Coordinators: Margarida Amaral, Mário Ramirez, Ricardo Dias Ana Ribeiro, LuÃs Costa, Manuel Carmo Gomes, Zita Martins |
Modular | 6 |
| Topics in Planetary Health |
Coordinators: Cristina Máguas, Filomena Carnide, Helena Cortez-Pinto Andreia Valente, LuÃsa Schmidt, Nuno Jardim Nunes, Sofia Oliveira Martins |
Modular | 6 |
| Free Option (optional) | Modular or semestral | 3 | |
| Transversal Competences (optional) | Modular or semestral | 3 | |
| Thesis & Internships | Plurianual | 30 |
| CURRICULAR UNIT | COORDINATION | DURATION | ECTS |
| Seminars I | CecÃlia Rodrigues, Teresa Melo | Modular | 3 |
| Thesis & Internships | Plurianual | 57 |
| CURRICULAR UNIT | COORDINATION | DURATION | ECTS |
| Seminars II | CecÃlia Rodrigues, Teresa Melo | Modular | 3 |
| Thesis & Internships | Plurianual | 57 |
| CURRICULAR UNIT | COORDINATION | DURATION | ECTS |
| Seminars III | CecÃlia Rodrigues, Teresa Melo | Modular | 3 |
| Thesis & Internships | Plurianual | 57 |
SPECIALIZATIONS
This specialty focuses on the study of the impact of climate change on planetary health, investigating its effects on living conditions, the spread of disease and global well-being, with the aim of developing mitigation and adaptation strategies. It focuses on climatic events and their effects on human physical and mental health, environmental pollutants and other forms of environmental degradation, deforestation and modification of natural terrestrial and marine ecosystems, habitat loss and fragmentation, biodiversity loss and species extinction, the risks posed by current food production systems, farming practices, fisheries and aquaculture, and their impact on global health.
Coordinators
Cristina Branquinho and LuÃsa Schmidt
Global Health focuses on the analysis of health patterns and determinants, investigating epidemiological patterns and socio-economic and environmental factors that help to understand the interconnections between diseases, populations and health systems on a global scale. It is therefore part of the One Health concept, which recognizes that human and animal health are closely linked and interdependent with environmental health. The focus will be on the Human-Animal-Environment interdependence, in the multidirectional analysis of causes, effects and consequences on global health. It emphasizes the epidemiological risks in the bidirectional transmission of disease between Human-Animal and the role of natural systems as a factor in the propagation of vectors and the maintenance of reservoirs of infectious agents, or of the environment as a predisposing element to Human and Animal disease, also considering the risks to food safety.
Coordinators
Ana Abreu and LuÃs Costa
This specialty focuses on the study of extreme environments, such as polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic), deserts, high altitudes, and areas subject to extreme climatic conditions. It seeks to understand how human communities, flora, fauna and ecosystems in these environments adapt, respond and interact with unique challenges, such as extreme temperatures, resource scarcity and extreme adverse conditions. It also seeks to identify emerging risks to global health, namely through exposure to new potentially pathogenic agents. The aim is to understand health in these extreme conditions and develop strategies for sustainable adaptation. The strengthening of ULisboa's training offer in extreme environments is in line with its institutional mission, as demonstrated by the creation of the College of Polar Sciences and Extreme Environments.
Coordinators
Gonçalo Vieira and Ricardo Trigo
Governance is a critical point in the integration of social, economic and environmental policies, but also in the creation, synthesis and application of interdisciplinary knowledge that contributes to strengthening planetary health. Thus, this specialty focuses on the multi-level analysis of the political and governance dimensions of planetary health, investigating how international, national and local policies contribute to or mitigate global health challenges, in light of geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics. This analysis covers topics such as sustainable development policies, environmental regulations and the role of governance structures, technology and innovation in addressing environmental and global health issues.
Coordinators
Andrea Valente and Mónica Oliveira
The tropics are home to 40% of the world's population, including more than half of those under the age of 15. The tropics are also areas rich in biodiversity, home to around 80% of the planet's terrestrial species, which are vital for regulating the energy, carbon and water balance and, ultimately, the climate on a global scale. The tropics (oceans and rainforests) also provide natural resources of great environmental, economic, cultural and symbolic value, as well as unique health promotion challenges that impact on a global scale. This specialty seeks to highlight the challenges and needs of tropical regions, emphasizing their centrality to major issues related to Global Health and sustainable development. The reinforcement of the training offer in tropical regions is aligned with ULisboa mission, through the creation of the Tropical College.
Coordinators
Ana Ribeiro and Teresa Melo
A large part of the population lives in cities. They are the engines of economic activity and are responsible for around three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates indicate that, by 2050, around 70% of the population will live in urban environments. Therefore, this specialty focuses on urban systems, analyzing the interaction between global risks, sustainable urban development, environmental health and the resilience of cities, seeking to understand how factors such as urban planning, mobility, housing, water and air quality, natural resources or social inequalities impact the sustainability and adaptive capacity of urban areas, with a view to developing strategies to promote more sustainable and resilient cities, but also fairer and less unequal ones.
Coordinators
Francisco Rebelo and Nuno Nunes
FACULTY MEMBERS
Renowned Interdisciplinary Experts
The programme involves the 18 Schools of the University of Lisbon and the faculty includes respected experts from various fields, committed to fostering an academic environment conducive to high quality and impactful research. Teaching satff and thesis supersisors are from different scientific disciplines and sectors.
Coordinator
Scientific Committee
, Faculty of Medicine
, School of Agriculture
, School of Social and Political Sciences
, Faculty of Law
, Faculty of Pharmacy
, Institute of Social Sciences
, Faculty of Sciences
, Lisbon School of Architecture
, Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning
, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
, Institute of Education
, Faculty of Dental Medicine
, Faculty of Human Kinetics
, Faculty of Psychology
, School of Arts and Humanities
, IST Técnico Lisboa
, Faculty of Fine Arts
, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics & Management
Lisbon School of Architecture
Filipe González Migães de Campos
Gianni Montagna
Gonçalo Falcão
Hugo Farias
Faculty of Fine Arts
Faculty of Sciences
Tiago Capela Lourenço
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Pharmacy
School of Arts and Humanities
LuÃs Filipe Barreto
Faculty of Medicine
Miguel Prudêncio
Faculty of Dental Medicine
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Rui Bessa Ciências
Faculty of Human Kinetics
Maria de Fátima Baptista
Faculty of Psychology
Institute of Social Sciences
Institute of Education
Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning
Sandra Oliveira
School of Agriculture
School of Social and Political Sciences
ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics & Management
Idalina Sardinha
IST Técnico Lisboa
Maria João Pereira
Nuno Nunes
PatrÃcia Gonçalves
Rectory
IMPORTANT DATES
1st COHORT
Applications: 3 to 28 March 2025
Enrolment and registration: 5 to 8 May 2025
2nd COHORT
Applications: 12 May to 6 June 2025
Enrolment and registration: 14 to 17 July 2025
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A Master's Degree, or legal equivalent, in any area of knowledge is required. Holders of a 'Licenciatura' Degree, or legal equivalent, and holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum especially relevant may also be eligible after curricular assessment by the Scientific Commission.
TUITION FEES
2.750,00€/²â±ð²¹°ù
VACANCIES
30
DURATION
4 academic years, 240 ECTS
LANGUAGE
English
TIMETABLE AND MODALITY
Modular intensive courses during the 1st semester, face to face.
LOCATION
Main Building
TTC@ULisboa
º£½Ç´óÉñ
Completed online through the FenixEdu Platform.
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APPLICATIONS
PARTNERS
ACCREDITATION BY A3ES
Process number A3ES NCE/24/2400062
Decision date: 2024/10/15
Period: 6 anos