Planetary Health Studies

DOCTORAL PROGRAMME

WHY CHOOSE ULISBOA PLANETARY HEALTH?

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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 19 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."

Cecília Rodrigues, Programme Coordinator

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Estudantes Doutoramento Saúde Planetária

I enrolled in ULisboa’s Planetary Health Studies PhD program because it genuinely offers us the intellectual freedom to pursue interdisciplinary research.

Jamie Tijerina, USA

Believing in a synergy between human activity and natural resources, I decided to change my career with the intention of developing ways for this synergy to occur in a balanced and well-grounded manner, through a research and/or academic career, preferably involving fieldwork and with practical application in collaboration with public and/or private entities.

Tânia Ferreira, Portugal

I enrolled in ULisboa’s Planetary Health Studies PhD program because it genuinely offers us the intellectual freedom to pursue interdisciplinary research.

Jamie Tijerina, USA

Believing in a synergy between human activity and natural resources, I decided to change my career with the intention of developing ways for this synergy to occur in a balanced and well-grounded manner, through a research and/or academic career, preferably involving fieldwork and with practical application in collaboration with public and/or private entities.

Tânia Ferreira, Portugal

I enrolled in ULisboa’s Planetary Health Studies PhD program because it genuinely offers us the intellectual freedom to pursue interdisciplinary research.

Jamie Tijerina, USA

Believing in a synergy between human activity and natural resources, I decided to change my career with the intention of developing ways for this synergy to occur in a balanced and well-grounded manner, through a research and/or academic career, preferably involving fieldwork and with practical application in collaboration with public and/or private entities.

Tânia Ferreira, Portugal

I enrolled in ULisboa’s Planetary Health Studies PhD program because it genuinely offers us the intellectual freedom to pursue interdisciplinary research.

Jamie Tijerina, USA

Believing in a synergy between human activity and natural resources, I decided to change my career with the intention of developing ways for this synergy to occur in a balanced and well-grounded manner, through a research and/or academic career, preferably involving fieldwork and with practical application in collaboration with public and/or private entities.

Tânia Ferreira, Portugal

Believing in a synergy between human activity and natural resources, I decided to change my career with the intention of developing ways for this synergy to occur in a balanced and well-grounded manner, through a research and/or academic career, preferably involving fieldwork and with practical application in collaboration with public and/or private entities.

Tânia Ferreira, Portugal

I enrolled in ULisboa’s Planetary Health Studies PhD program because it genuinely offers us the intellectual freedom to pursue interdisciplinary research.

Jamie Tijerina, USA

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

Study 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, Luís Costa, Manuel Carmo Gomes, Zita Martins	Modular	6
Topics in Planetary Health	Coordinators: Cristina Máguas, Filomena Carnide, Helena Cortez-Pinto Andreia Valente, Luísa Schmidt, Nuno Jardim Nunes, Sofia Oliveira Martins	Modular	6
Elective Subjects * Free Option Transversal Competences Select elective subjects		Modular or semestral	6
Thesis & Internships		Plurianual	30

* Choose at least 6 ECTS by taking either one subject worth 6 or more ECTS, or two subjects that add up to at least 6 ECTS.

CURRICULAR UNIT	COORDINATION	DURATION	ECTS
Seminars I	Cecília Rodrigues, Teresa Melo	Modular	3
Thesis & Internships		Plurianual	57

CURRICULAR UNIT	COORDINATION	DURATION	ECTS
Seminars II	Cecília Rodrigues, Teresa Melo	Modular	3
Thesis & Internships		Plurianual	57

CURRICULAR UNIT	COORDINATION	DURATION	ECTS
Seminars III	Cecília Rodrigues, Teresa Melo	Modular	3
Thesis & Internships		Plurianual	57

Infografia sobre a estrutura do doutoramento

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 Luísa 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 Luís 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 19 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.

WHICH ARE THE ULISBOA 19 SCHOOLS?

Coordinator

Cecília Rodrigues

Scientific Committee

Ana Abreu, Faculty of Medicine
Ana Ribeiro, School of Agriculture
Andrea Valente, School of Social and Political Sciences
Carla Gomes, Faculty of Law
Cecília Rodrigues, Faculty of Pharmacy
Cristiana Bastos, Institute of Social Sciences
Cristina Branquinho, Faculty of Sciences
Francisco Rebelo, Lisbon School of Architecture
Eduarda Marques da Costa, Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning

Luís Costa, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Luís Tinoca, Institute of Education
Maria Cristina Neves, Faculty of Dental Medicine
Maria Filomena Carnide, Faculty of Human Kinetics
Maria José Chambel, Faculty of Psychology
Maria Teresa Casal, School of Arts and Humanities
Mónica Oliveira, IST Técnico Lisboa
Pedro Almeida, Faculty of Fine Arts
Sofia Bento, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics & Management

Executive Committee

Cecília Rodrigues (president)
Ana Abreu
Ana Ribeiro
Cristina Branquinho
Francisco Rebelo
Gonçalo Vieira
Mónica Oliveira

Alternate members:
Andrea Valente
Luís Costa
Luísa Schmidt
Nuno Nunes
Ricardo Trigo
Teresa Melo

Lisbon School of Architecture

Carla Sofia Morgado
Filipe González Migães de Campos
Francisco Rebelo
Gianni Montagna
Gonçalo Falcão
Hugo Farias

IMPORTANT DATES

1^st COHORT
Applications: 12 January to 20 February 2026
Interviews: 25 to 27 February 2026

2^nd COHORT
Applications: 30 March to 24 April 2026
Interviews: 29 to 30 April 2026

3^rd COHORT
Applications: 1 to 12 June 2026
Interviews: 17 to 19 June 2026

Classes begin: October 2026

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€/year

VACANCIES

30

DURATION

4 academic years, 240 ECTS

LANGUAGE

English

TIMETABLE AND MODALITY

Modular intensive courses during the 1^st semester, face to face.

SCHEDULE

Start of classes: 28 September 2026
End of the first semester: 18 December 2026
Opening Session: 24 September 2026
ULisboa Orientation Day: 25 September 2026